Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)

Family: Cucurbitaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Lagenaria siceraria is a ANNUAL CLIMBER growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in oil, it is added to soups etc. — Immature fruit - cooked and used as a vegetable.; They can be boiled, steamed, fried, used in curries or made into fritters.; Of variable quality, but some of the selected cultivars from India and China are of very good quality, equivalent to good summer squashes.; The pulp around the seed is purgative and should not be eaten.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in the wild. (Zone 10)