Compilation
Luffa scabra

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Name

Identification
Luffa aegyptiaca Miller [family CUCURBITACEAE ] (stored under name); Verified by Not on Sheet, Luffa scabra Schumach. and Thonn. [family CUCURBITACEAE ] Verified by Not on Sheet, Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. [family CUCURBITACEAE ] Verified by C. Jeffrey, 1960
Related name
  • Luffa scabra
  • Luffa cylindrica
  • Luffa aegyptiaca

Flora

Entry for LUFFA ægyptiaca Miller [family CUCURBITACEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora of Tropical Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of Tropical Africa, Vol 2, page 521, (1871) Author: (By Mr. J. G. Baker.)
Names
LUFFA ægyptiaca Miller [family CUCURBITACEAE], Ser. in DC. Prod. iii. 303.
LUFFA pentandra Roxb. [family CUCURBITACEAE], Fl. Ind. iii. 712. Wight Ic. t. 499.
LUFFA cylindrica Rœm. [family CUCURBITACEAE], Naud. in Ann. Sc. Nat. sér. 4, xii. 119 (with synonyms).
LUFFA scabra Schum. et Thonn. [family CUCURBITACEAE], Pl. Guin. 405.
Information
Scabrid. Leaves 4–7 in. in diameter, palmately 5–7-angled or lobed, scabrid on both surfaces, distantly irregularly toothed; stipular bract small, cordate, glandular. Male fl.: Raceme a span long, many-flowered; bracts small, glandular; pedicels very short. Calyx-lobes 1/2 in. long, triangular-ovate, green. Corolla 1 1/2–3 in. broad. Stamens 3 or 5. Fruit 5–12 in. long, cylindric or trigonous, with 10 dark lines, but no sharp ridges. Seeds black, rarely whitish, with a narrow wing; testa smooth.
Distribution
Angola Lower Guinea Dr. Welwitsch!Mozamb. Dist. Rovuma river, Meller!Nile Land Kazeh, Speke and Grant!Niger Upper Guinea Vogel! Barter!
Notes
Some of the above habitats may refer to the following species, which it is impossible to distinguish in the dry state by flowers and foliage alone. L. ægyptiaca is cultivated throughout the tropics, and the young fruit eaten. Naudin says that its native country is uncertain.

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