Benincasa hispida Wax gourd (Cucurbitaceae)

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Benincasa hispida
Wax gourd
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The Benincasa hispida plant species is found in Tropical Asia. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Wax gourd. Some home gardeners know the variety as B. cerifera.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Benincasa hispida
Common Name:  Wax gourd
Family:  Cucurbitaceae
Author:  (Thunb.)Cogn.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  6   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Not known in a truly wild situation.

Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[74, 114]. Used as a vegetable, and in pickles, curries and preserves[1, 2, 27, 61, 183]. The fruit can be eaten when it is young or old[116], it can be picked as early as one week after fertilization[206]. A juicy texture with a mild flavour, the flavour is somewhat stronger in younger fruits[206]. Because of its waxy coating, it will store for several months, sometimes as long as a year[116, 206]. Mature fruits can vary in weight from 2 - 50 kg[206]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Young leaves and flower buds are steamed and eaten as a egetable, or are added as a flavouring to soups[183, 200]. Seed - cooked[74, 114, 177, 183]. Rich in oil and protein.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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