Benincasa hispida

Benincasa hispida (= Cucurbita hispida, Lagenaria siceraria var. hispida), commonly known as Wax Gourd, white gourd, ash gourd, or fuzzy melon, is a climber.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Benincasa hispida 11.1 History 11.2 Benincasa hispida in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Benincasa hispida was already described and the name validly published by Carl Peter Thunberg. It was not until 1881, however, that Célestin Alfred Cogniaux reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Wax Gourd is the single species in the genus Benincasa which belongs to the family of the Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The climbers grow to a height of approximately 6 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Benincasa hispida is a decidious plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are kidney-shaped with toothed margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are five-petaled and yellow. The plants bloom from July to September. The flowers are arranged solitary.

The fruits are berries and very ornamental.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Benincasa hispida is native to : garden origin.

[edit] Cultivation

The Wax Gourd prefers a sunny to half shady site and can withstand temperatures only above 1,2º C. It grows best in sandy or pebbly, loamy soil that is moist.

[edit] Uses

Benincasa hispida is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Benincasa hispida

[edit] History

[edit] Benincasa hispida in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Benincasa hispida in the

generate a QR code for this article

• United States Department of Agriculturees:Benincasa hispidafr:Benincasa hispida