Ivy gourd
Coccinia grandis
Synonyms: Cucumis pavel, Coccinia schimperi, Coccinia moghadd, Coccinia loureiroana, Bryonia acerifolia, Bryonia barbata, Cucurbita dioica, Coccinia grandis var. wightiana, Cucurbita schimperiana, Cephalandra schimperi, Luffa moghadd, Bryonia sinuosa, Coccinia wightiana, Coccinia indica, Turia moghadd, Bryonia moimoi, Coccinia helenae, Coccinia palmatisecta, Momordica covel, Momordica bicolor, Bryonia alceifolia, Momordica monadelpha, Bryonia grandis, Coccinia moimoi, Cucumis sativus var. arakis, Coccinia cordifolia var. alceifolia, Physedra gracilis, Coccinia cordifolia var. wightiana, Cephalandra moghadd, Cephalandra indica, Cephalandra indica var. palmata, Cephalandra grandis, Coccinia grandis var. quinqueangularis
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Botanical Description
Coccinia grandis, the ivy gourd or scarlet gourd, is a vigorous perennial climbing vine of the gourd family that scrambles by simple tendrils from a tuberous rootstock. The stems are slender and somewhat ridged, rooting at the nodes. The alternate leaves are broadly heart-shaped to five-lobed, with a few small marginal glands, resembling ivy. The plant is usually dioecious, bearing solitary, white, star-shaped, five-lobed flowers in the leaf axils. The fruit is a smooth, ovoid berry, green with pale stripes when young and ripening to a bright glossy scarlet, with soft red pulp and many seeds. Native to tropical Africa and Asia, it grows abundantly on hedges, fences, and disturbed ground in the tropics, where the young shoots and fruits are eaten as a vegetable; it is an aggressive invasive in some regions.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
In Ayurvedic medicine the ivy gourd (bimbi) is used in many forms: the leaves, roots, and fruit are taken traditionally to manage diabetes (madhumeha), and preparations are applied for skin diseases and used for digestive and respiratory complaints (Khare, 2007). The young fruit and shoots are also a common vegetable across South and Southeast Asia.
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.