bristly luffa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Momordica erinocarpa
• Luffa echinata var. longistyla
• Luffa longistyla
• Luffa bendaul
• Luffa bindaal

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is classified under the family Cucurbitaceae and is identified by the genus Luffa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. Within West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Mali and Mauritania. Its presence continues through the West Tropical African nations of Niger and Nigeria. Additionally, the species extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, this region includes the country of Cameroon within its natural habitat.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Luffa echinata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its biological classification regarding growth habits, the plant is categorized as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located on aerial parts of the plant above the ground. This classification is further supported by its structural designation as a phanerophyte, reflecting its strategy of maintaining its vital organs in elevated positions to facilitate its climbing and spreading behavior during its active period.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Luffa echinata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing its structure as a liana or vine to ascend surfaces rather than being self-supporting.

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Luffa echinata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of postgraduate medicine

Chemicals

Luffa echinata has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cucurbitacin, Echinatin, Flavonoids, OLEANOLIC ACID, SAPONIN.

Cucurbitacin

1. Journal of postgraduate medicine

Echinatin

1. Journal of postgraduate medicine

Flavonoids

1. Journal of postgraduate medicine

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Journal of postgraduate medicine

SAPONIN

1. Journal of postgraduate medicine

Activities

Luffa echinata has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant.

Anticancer

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Preparations