Luffa acutangula facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Luffa acutangula |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Luffa
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| Species: |
acutangula
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Luffa acutangula is a climbing plant that belongs to the cucumber and squash family. People grow this plant for its young fruits, which are eaten as a vegetable. When the fruits are fully grown and dry, they can be used as natural cleaning sponges.
The fruit of Luffa acutangula looks a bit like a cucumber or zucchini. It has clear ridges along its sides. This plant naturally grows in central, eastern, and southeastern Asia. You can also grow it indoors as a houseplant in places where the weather is colder.
This plant has many common names in English. Some of these include angled luffa, Chinese okra, dish cloth gourd, ridged gourd, sponge gourd, vegetable gourd, strainer vine, ribbed loofah, silky gourd, silk gourd, and sinkwa towelsponge.
What is Luffa Used For?
The young fruits of some types of Luffa plants are very useful. People often cook them and eat them as vegetables. You can also pickle them or eat them raw. Sometimes, the plant's shoots (new growth) and flowers are also used in cooking.
Just like another plant called Luffa aegyptiaca, the fully grown fruits of Luffa acutangula are harvested when they are dry. They are then processed to remove everything except the strong fibers inside. These fibers are excellent for making natural sponges. They can also be used to make other things, like hats.
Pictures of Luffa
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Small glands on the plant that attract ants, like these Oecophylla smaragdina ants.
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A female flower of the Chinese okra plant.
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A male flower of the Chinese okra plant.
See also
In Spanish: Dringi de la India para niños
