Ash gouard

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• annual gourd
• snake gourd

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anguina cucumerina

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Cucurbitales and placed in the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Trichosanthes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Trichosanthes cucumerina, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the landscapes of Guinea-Bissau. Its presence continues through the territory of Guinea, further establishing its regional reach. Finally, the plant's distribution extends to include the Ivory Coast and Senegal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Trichosanthes cucumerina is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a climbing herbaceous vine, it begins its development by establishing a rapid root system that supports vigorous upward growth using tendrils to navigate surrounding vegetation. During its active phase, the plant undergoes a distinct phenological sequence involving vegetative expansion, followed by the development of nocturnal, fragrant flowers that facilitate pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant transitions into a reproductive stage where it produces characteristic fleshy fruits, ultimately culminating in the dispersal of seeds that ensure the commencement of the next generation in the following season.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Trichosanthes cucumerina is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an obligatory climbing vine, utilizing a liana-like habit to ascend supports. As a terrestrial plant, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, maintaining an independent existence without parasitic behavior. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with a minimum height of 0 m and a maximum height reaching up to 1 m, though it can achieve a mean plant height of approximately 5 m through its extensive climbing structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trichosanthes cucumerina is characterized by its specialized growth patterns and metabolic processes adapted for a climbing life habit. As a herbaceous climber, its physiological development relies heavily on the production of tendrils that exhibit thigmotropism, allowing the plant to navigate upward toward sunlight to optimize photosynthetic efficiency. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which supports the rapid biomass accumulation necessary for its sprawling vine structure and the production of large, moisture-rich fruits. Regarding its nutrient acquisition, the plant does not possess a symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria in its root system, meaning it is not a nitrogen fixer; therefore, it relies entirely on the availability of inorganic nitrogen, such as nitrates and ammonium, within the soil substrate to support its protein synthesis and vegetative growth. Water regulation is managed through a complex vascular system that facilitates the transport of nutrients from the root zone to the distal climbing extremities, ensuring turgor pressure is maintained for structural support and fruit development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trichosanthes cucumerina is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying heavily on animal vectors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect pollination to ensure successful fertilization. The reproductive output is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit varying physical dimensions; the seed mass typically ranges from a minimum of 0.064 g to a maximum of 0.2 g, with an observed mean seed mass of 0.132 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.2 g

Seed mass mean:

0.132 g

Seed mass min:

0.064 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Trichosanthes cucumerina has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bryonolic acid, Cucurbitacin B, 6-BA, Ca2+, Flavonoids.

Bryonolic acid

1. Plant cell reports
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cucurbitacin B

1. Plant cell reports
2. Journal of cellular biochemistry

6-BA

1. BMC plant biology

Ca2+

1. BMC plant biology

Flavonoids

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

KT

1. BMC plant biology

NAA

1. BMC plant biology

Saponins

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Steroids

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Tannin

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Activities

Trichosanthes cucumerina has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Anticancer

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Conditions

Trichosanthes cucumerina has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Breast cancer

1. Journal of cellular biochemistry
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Bacillus subtilis

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

E. coli

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Proteus mirabilis

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Trichosanthes cucumerina has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous fraction (AQF), hot water extract (HWE), methanol fraction (MEF), polyherbal extract.

Aqueous fraction (aqf)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hot water extract (hwe)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol fraction (mef)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Polyherbal extract

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences