Chinese-cucumber (Trichosanthes kirilowii, Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Pétersbourg Divers Savans 9: 482 (1859))

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Author: Maxim.

Bibliography: Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Pétersbourg Divers Savans 9: 482 (1859)

Year: 1859

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Trichosanthes

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. & E. China to Japan and Indo-China

Description

The Chinese-cucumber, a notable member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is scientifically referred to as Trichosanthes kirilowii. This plant carries significant importance across various regions, ranging from northern and eastern China to Japan and Indo-China, showcasing its adaptability and widespread presence in these diverse climates.

First formally described in 1859 by Maxim in the scholarly work “Mémoires de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de St.-Pétersbourg Divers Savans,” the Chinese-cucumber has been a subject of interest for botanists and researchers alike for over a century. Its extensive distribution reflects its ecological versatility and potential utility in these regions.

Trichosanthes kirilowii is renowned for its distinctive fruit, which bears a visual resemblance to cucumbers, thereby contributing to its common name. The plant typically thrives in various environmental conditions, making it a resilient species with significant horticultural value. It is not only valued for its fruit but also for the various uses derived from its roots and other parts, highlighting its importance in traditional practices and possibly in modern applications.

In observing its ecological niche, the Chinese-cucumber demonstrates a profound ability to sustain itself in both temperate and subtropical climates, which accounts for its broad geographical spread. This attribute underscores its robustness and potential as a sustainable plant in the areas it occupies.

In conclusion, the Chinese-cucumber (Trichosanthes kirilowii) is a highly esteemed plant within the Cucurbitaceae family, notable for its widespread distribution across several Asian regions and its historical botanical significance as documented by Maxim in the mid-19th century. Its ecological adaptability and utility in various domains make it a subject of continuous interest and relevance.

Common Names

Eng: chinese snake gourd, chinese-cucumber
Swe: kinesisk ormgurka
En: Chinese-cucumber, Chinese snake gourd, Tian hua fen, Chinese cucumber, Mongolian snake-gourd, Gua lou
Ar: قرع الحية الكريلوي
Zh: Gua lou, Tian hua fen, 栝楼
Ko: Haneultari, 하늘타리
Fa: تریچسانتس کیریلوی
Sv: Kinesisk ormgurka
Zh-tw: 括樓
Th: เทียวฮวยฮุ้ง

Synonyms

• Trichosanthes quadricirrha (Miq.)
• Eopepon aurantiacus (Naudin)
• Anguina kirilowii ((Maxim.) Kuntze)
• Anguina japonica ((Regel) Kuntze)
• Trichosanthes obtusiloba (C.Y.Wu ex C.Y.Cheng & Yueh)
• Trichosanthes japonica ((Miq.) Regel)
• Gymnopetalum japonicum (Miq.)
• Trichosanthes vitifolia ((Naudin) N.E.Br.)
• Eopepon vitifolius (Naudin)
• Trichosanthes kirilowii var. japonica ((Miq.) Kitam.)

Distribution

• Cambodia (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laos (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• North Caucasus (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 1, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 7, 2022 by Swami Kuldeep malik (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3624240)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:294222-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.)

Specifications

Growth