Chinese okra

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese-okra
• angled loofah
• dishcloth gourd
• ribbed gourd
• ribbed loofah
• ridged gourd
• silky gourd
• strainervine
• Chinese Okra
• angled luffa
• sponge gourd

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Luffa umbellata
• Luffa cattu-picinna
• Luffa gosa
• Luffa foetida
• Luffa amara
• Luffa drastica
• Cucumis lineatus
• Cucumis megacarpus
• Cucumis operculatus
• Luffa plukenetiana
• Cucurbita acutangula
• Luffa kleinii
• Cucurbita campanulata
• Luffa tenera
• Cucurbita umbellata
• Cucumis acutangulus
• Luffa fluminensis
• Luffa acutangula f. amara
• Luffa forskalii
• Luffa hermaphrodita
• Luffa acutangula var. forskalii
• Luffa acutangula var. amara

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Luffa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Benin and Burkina. The species is also found further north in Mauritania and Senegal. Additionally, its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Luffa acutangula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Luffa acutangula is characterized by its preference for specific low-lying environmental conditions, primarily thriving within a narrow elevational range. This species is specifically adapted to habitats situated at an elevation of 150 m AMSL, representing both its minimum and maximum altitudinal limits. This suggests a highly specialized niche requirement regarding vertical distribution, typically favoring warm, lowland tropical or subtropical environments where it can utilize climbing mechanisms to access sunlight in dense vegetation or disturbed areas.

Elevational range max:

150 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Luffa acutangula is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental sequence—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by producing seeds that remain dormant until favorable moisture and temperature levels trigger the next generation. This rapid growth strategy allows the plant to effectively colonize open spaces and utilize seasonal resources to reach maturity quickly.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Luffa acutangula is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, specifically classified as a forb. This plant functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. It exhibits an obligatory climbing habit, growing as a liana or vine to ascend various structures. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of 6 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Luffa angutensis is characterized by its growth as a vigorous, climbing herbaceous vine that utilizes tendrils to navigate vertical structures for light acquisition. Its metabolic processes are optimized for rapid biomass production and the development of elongated, fibrous fruits. Regarding its water storage mechanisms, the plant exhibits no succulence, as it relies on a continuous transpiration stream through its large, expansive leaves to maintain turgor pressure rather than storing water in specialized parenchymatous tissues. Furthermore, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, and instead depends on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil to support its high nitrogen demand during its rapid vegetative and reproductive growth phases.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Luffa acutangula is characterized by a distinct flowering period that typically commences in June and concludes in August. The plant employs a biotic pollination syndrome, relying heavily on insects for successful fertilization, with bees serving as a primary pollinator. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a specific mass range; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.101092 g, with individual seeds weighing as little as 0.06893 g and reaching a maximum of 0.1428 g. Regarding the movement of its offspring, the dispersal syndrome is classified as anthropochorous, indicating that human activity plays a significant role in the distribution of its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.1428 g

Seed mass mean:

0.101092 g

Seed mass min:

0.06893 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Luffa acutangula has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. BioMed research international

Seed

1. General pharmacology

Chemicals

Luffa acutangula has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Fatty acids, Flavonoids.

Anthraquinones

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Fatty acids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Luffa acutangula has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Antitumor.

Abortifacient

1. General pharmacology

Antitumor

1. General pharmacology

Preparations

Luffa acutangula has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Crude extract of plant, aqueous leave extracts, ethanolic extract, peel extract, seeds.

Crude extract of plant

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Aqueous leave extracts

1. BioMed research international

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of receptor and signal transduction research

Peel extract

1. Journal of food science and technology

Seeds

1. General pharmacology