Luffa operculata

Luffa operculata
Dried fruit, opened
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Cucurbitaceae
Genus:	Luffa
Species:	L. operculata
Binomial name
Luffa operculata Cogn.

Luffa operculata (common name, Sponge Cucumber, Wild Loofa or mướp xơ in Vietnamese) is a species of Luffa. It is cultivated for its fruit, which is used to make a bath sponge. Its fruit is a capsule with spikes and toxicity. The fruit is dark-brown when mature. It is also grown in gardens and yards as an ornamental plant. In colder places they can be grown indoors as a houseplant.

The species name is derived from the word, operculum, meaning "little lid." When the fruits are mature, and the seeds are ready to be dispersed, a small part of the tip opens up. Then, the seeds fall to the ground. This feature is illustrated in a photograph on Wikimedia commons: picture showing the operculum and seeds of Luffa operculata.

External links

• Luffa operculata Picture
• Luffa operculata mature Picture

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