Squash
Loofah
Loofah: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Loofah, or sponge gourd, is an annual climber known for the fibres of its mature fruit. The smooth-fruited type is Luffa aegyptiaca, also named Luffa cylindrica. This cucurbit first produces green, fleshy fruit, then develops a fibrous network inside as it matures. Its appeal therefore combines a young vegetable with a plant material at a much later stage. The change within the fruit is central to its identity.Fruit is elongated and cylindrical, with a relatively smooth surface. It resembles a large cucumber, but its structure changes differently through its cycle. Dimensions depend on variety and conditions. Inside are many flat seeds that become dark when mature. Tender young pulp gradually gives way to interwoven fibres. This transformation is the most useful characteristic for understanding the sponge gourd and distinguishing the different uses of its fruit.The plant has long stems with tendrils that can attach to supporting objects. It can occupy…
