Common Name: Wax Gourd

General Information

Benincasa hispida is a robust, annual climbing plant producing stems up to 6 metres long that scramble over the ground or climb into other plants, supporting themselves by means of tendrils. The plant can produce such enormous fruits that it either needs to be really well supported when climbing or be grown as a ground-cover crop[].
The plant is a rather important market vegetable in subtropical and tropical Asia, and the immature fruits are increasingly popular in city markets. It is frequently cultivated, especially in the Old World tropics, for its edible fruit[, , ]. It is also often used medicinally, especially in China.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

A widely cultivated plant, its original range is obscure.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual Climber
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Benincasa hispida is a plant of the tropics, and is also cultivated in the subtropics. It can be grown at elevations up to 1,500 metres.It is only likely to succeed outdoors in areas of the temperate zone with consistently warm summers lasting5 months or more. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 30°c, but can tolerate 12 - 37°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about 2°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 400 - 800mm, but tolerates 300 - 2,800mm[]. Excessive rain may reduce yields, but the water requirements are still fairly high especially in the early stages of development[]. Plants require stable temperatures in excess of 25°c if they are to do well[]. Short daylengths and lower temperatures stimulate female flower development, higher temperatures stimulate male flower production[].
Requires a warm sunny position in a rich well-drained soil and plenty of moisture in the growing season, though high rainfall can be detrimental[, , , ]. Established plants are reasonably drought tolerant[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.6 - 6.8, tolerating 5 - 7.5[].
The development of female flowers is stimulated by short daylengths and relatively cool weather conditions, while male flower production is encouraged by high temperatures and long days[].
The fruit can be harvested about 3 months after sowing[]. Plants take up to 5 months from seed to produce a mature crop, though the fruits can be eaten when immature[].
Yields of 20 tonnes per hectare have been achieved in northern India, with individual fruits weighing from 5 - 45 kilos at maturity. The average yield in Taiwan is 40 tonnes per hectare, with an optimum of 50 tonnes[, ].
There are many named varieties[, , ].
One group, sometimes classified as B. Hispida chieh-gua, is known as the hairy melon or jointed gourd. This form is grown for its immature fruit in much the same way as courgettes are used[]. Mature fruits of this form do not develop a waxy coating[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. Used as a vegetable, and in pickles, curries, preserves and also candied in sugar[, , , , , , ]. The fruit can be eaten either when it is young or fully mature[], it can be picked as early as one week after fertilization[]. A juicy texture with a mild flavour, the flavour is somewhat stronger in younger fruits[]. Because of its waxy coating, it will store for several months, sometimes as long as a year[, ]. Mature fruits can vary in weight from 2 - 50 kg[]. A nutritional analysis is available[].

Young leaves and flower buds are steamed and eaten as a vegetable, or are added as a flavouring to soups[, ].

Seed - cooked[, , , ]. Rich in oil and protein.

An oil can be obtained from the seeds[].

Medicinal

Wax gourd has been used as a food and medicine for thousands of years in the Orient. All parts of the fruit are used medicinally.

The rind of the fruit is diuretic[, ]. It is taken internally in the treatment of urinary dysfunction, summer fevers etc[]. The ashes of the rind are applied to painful wounds[].

The seed is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and tonic[, ]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of vaginal discharges and coughs[, ]. In combination with Rheum palmatum it is used to treat intestinal abscesses[]. In Ayurvedic medicine the seed is used in the treatment of coughs, fevers, excessive thirst and to expel tapeworms[]. The oil from the seed is also used as an anthelmintic[].

The fruit is antiperiodic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, laxative and tonic[]. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine in the treatment of epilepsy, lung diseases, asthma, coughs etc[]. The fruit juice is used in the treatment of insanity, epilepsy and other nervous diseases[]. Recent research has shown that the fruits contain anti-cancer terpenes[].

An infusion of the root is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea[].

Demulcent, salve. Facilitates pus drainage[, , ].

Other Uses

A wax that coats the fruit is used to make candles[, , ].

An oil can be obtained from the seed[].

The roots have considerable resistance to soil-borne diseases and they are sometimes used as a rootstock for melons and other cucurbits[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on fast in a rich compost in the greenhouse. Try to maintain a minimum night temperature of at least 10°c for the seedlings first few weeks[]. Plant out in May/early summer after the last expected frosts, giving additional protection such as a cloche until temperatures have risen sufficiently[].