The various uses detailed in this record were all originally under the name Trichosanthes cucumeroides (Ser.) Maxim. ex Franch. & Sav. There is still disagreement amongst botanists as to the correct placing of this name. We are following the treatment in Plants of the World online (see https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:294274-1, accessed 07/05/2024) and various other sources, which all treat Trichosanthes cucumeroides as a synonym of Trichosanthes pilosa, though some other sources either accept Trichosanthes cucumeroides as a valid species or treat it as a synonym of Trichosanthes ovigera Blume[].

Common Name: Japanese Snake Gourd

General Information

Trichosanthes pilosa is a perennial, climbing plant producing stems that can sprawl over the ground or climb into other plants for support, attaching themselves by means of tendrils.
The plant is cultivated, especially in China, for its edible fruit and root, and also for traditional medicinal purposes[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, western and southern China, Japan, Philippines to New Guinea and northern Australia

Habitat

Fertile and damp places in mountain wilds in China[]. Brushwoods along valleys, open forests on mountain slopes; at elevations from 700 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	0.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Trichosanthes pilosa is a plant of mainly tropical and subtropical climates, it is not hardy in most of the temperate zone but can often be grown there as a spring-sown annual[].
Requires a rich well-drained soil and plenty of moisture in the growing season[].

Edible Uses

An edible starch is obtained from the root[, , , ].

The immature fruit is preserves in miso or salt[]. The mature fruit is about 7cm long[]. A nutritional analysis is available[].

We have no record of the seed being edible, though there is no reason to believe that it should not be[]. Like the edible seeds of many members of this plant family, the seed is eaten in the Orient as a vermifuge[]. The seed contains 33.8% protein and 56.3% fat[].

Medicinal

Yields the protein hetero-trichosanthin, with 1.7 times the abortifacient activity of trichosanthin from the related species Trichosanthes kirilowii[].

Diuretic[].

The seed is vermifuge[].

The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, blood purifier, depurative, febrifuge and resolvent[]. It is used as a poultice or made into a decoction to treat abscesses, boils, fevers, sore throats etc[, ].

The fruit is used to treat coughs, diabetes, jaundice etc[].

Other Uses

The dried fruit is rich in saponins and is used a soap substitute[, , , ].

An industrial starch is obtained from the root[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in pots in a warm greenhouse in a rich soil. Sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot and thin to the strongest plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts. Give some protection, such as a frame or cloche, until the plants are growing away well.