Coccinia grandis

{{short description|Species of plant}} {{Hatnote|For some other vegetable crops that look similar and are used similarly, see ''[[Trichosanthes dioica]]'', ''[[Cyclanthera pedata]]'', and ''[[Melothria scabra]]''.}} {{for-multi|small cucumbers called 'gherkins'|Gherkin|the Indian gherkin|Cucumis anguria}} {{Speciesbox |image = Coccinia grandis fruit.jpg |image_caption = Ivy gourd |image2 = Baby Watermelon BNC.jpg |image2_caption = Ivy gourd cross section |genus = Coccinia |species = grandis |authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Joachim Otto Voigt|Voigt]] |synonyms = {{Collapsible list|| *''Bryonia acerifolia'' D.Dietr. *''Bryonia alceifolia'' Willd. *''Bryonia barbata'' Buch.-Ham. ex Cogn. *''Bryonia grandis'' L. *''Bryonia moimoi'' Ser. *''Cephalandra grandis'' Kurz *''Cephalandra indica'' var. ''palmata'' C.B.Clarke *''Cephalandra moghadd'' (Asch.) Broun & Massey *''Cephalandra schimperi'' Naudin *''Coccinia cordifolia'' var. ''alceifolia'' (Willd.) Cogn. *''Coccinia cordifolia'' var. ''wightiana'' Cogn. *''Coccinia grandis'' var. ''quinqueangularis'' Miq. *''Coccinia helenae'' Buscal. & Muschl. *''Coccinia loureiroana'' M.Roem. *''Coccinia moghadd'' (J.F.Gmel.) Asch. *''Coccinia moimoi'' (Ser.) M.Roem. *''Coccinia palmatisecta'' Kotschy *''Coccinia schimperi'' Naudin *''Coccinia wightiana'' M.Roem. *''Cucumis pavel'' Kostel. *''Cucumis sativus'' var. ''arakis'' Forssk. *''Cucurbita dioica'' Roxb. ex Wight & Arn. *''Cucurbita schimperiana'' Hochst. ex Cogn. *''Luffa moghadd'' (Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.) Peterm. *''Momordica bicolor'' Blume *''Momordica covel'' Dennst. *''Momordica monadelpha'' Roxb. *''Physedra gracilis'' A.Chev. *''Turia moghadd'' Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel. }} |synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite POWO |id=291972-1 |title=''Coccinia grandis'' (L.) Voigt |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref> |}}

'''''Coccinia grandis''''', the '''ivy gourd''', also known as '''scarlet gourd''',<ref>[http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/new/Coccinia.html#grandis Michel H. Porcher (2006). Sorting ''Coccinia'' names] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310150635/http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/new/Coccinia.html#grandis |date=10 March 2011 }}</ref> or '''Tindora'''<ref>[https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Tindora_586.php https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Tindora_586.php]</ref>, is a tropical [[vine]]. It grows primarily in [[tropical climate]]s and is commonly found in the Indian states where it forms a part of the local cuisine. ''Coccinia grandis'' is cooked as a vegetable dish.

In Southeast Asia, it is grown for its edible young [[Shoot (botany)|shoot]]s and edible fruits.<ref name=Linney>{{cite journal |last=Linney |first=G. |title=''Coccinia grandis'' (L.) Voight: A new cucurbitaceous weed in Hawai'i |journal=Hawaii Botanical Society Newsletter |year=1986 |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=3–5}}</ref>

== Geographic spread == [[File:Ivy gourd in India.JPG|thumb|Immature fruits ready for consumption in India]] [[File:Coccinia grandis11.JPG|thumb|Ivy gourd at Thrissur, Kerala, India]] Its [[native range]] extends from Africa to Asia, including India, the Philippines, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, eastern Papua New Guinea, and in the Northern Territory, Australia. Its documented [[Introduced species|introduced range]] includes the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.<ref name=PIER>{{cite web |last=Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk |title=Invasive plant species: ''Coccinia grandis'' |url=http://www.hear.org/pier |access-date=10 February 2010 |year=2003 |archive-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225035109/http://www.hear.org/pier/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Seeds or fragments of the vine can be relocated and lead to viable offspring. This can occur when humans transport organic debris or equipment containing ''C. grandis''. Once the ivy gourd is established, it is presumably spread by birds, rats, and other mammals. In Hawaii, the fruit may be dispersed by pigs.<ref name=PIER /> Long-distance dispersal is most commonly carried out by humans due to its culinary uses or by mistake.

Regarded as very [[Invasive species|invasive]] and on the Hawaii State Noxious Weed List, ivy gourd can grow up to four inches per day. It grows in dense blankets, shading other plants from sunlight and highjacking nutrients, effectively killing vegetation underneath.<ref name=NMC>{{cite web |last=NMC Crees |title=Scarlet Gourd in Saipan |url=http://www.crees.org/weeds/scarlet-gourd.htm |access-date=10 February 2010 |year=1997 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111080830/http://www.crees.org/weeds/scarlet-gourd.htm |archive-date=11 January 2006}}</ref> It was introduced to Hawaii as a backyard [[food crop]]. It is sometimes tolerated along garden fences and other outdoor features because of its attractive white flowers. It has escaped to become a vigorous pest in Hawaii, Florida, Australia, and Texas.

== Botanical description == This plant is a perennial climber with single tendrils and glabrous leaves. The leaves have 5 lobes and are 6.5–8.5 cm long and 7–8 cm wide. The species is [[dioecious]].<ref>{{cite web |title=a website on plant information |url=https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Coccinia+grandis}}</ref> Female and male flowers emerge at the axils on the petiole, and have 3 stamens.<ref>{{ cite book | first1=Yoshitaka | last1=Tanaka | first2=Nguyen | last2=Van Ke | date=2007 | title=Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam: The Bountiful Garden | publisher=Thailand: Orchid Press | isbn=978-9745240896 | page=70}}</ref>

== Weed control == Both physical and chemical recommendations are made for control of the ivy gourd. Physical control requires pulling up plants by the roots, removing and destroying all stems and fruits, and subsequent policing of the area over several years to destroy (pull up by the roots and remove) seedlings as they sprout. Less rigorous hand-[[harvesting]] techniques can make infestations worse, to the point that chemical procedures are required, since plants are able to re-establish themselves from small stem pieces that touch the ground. When using [[Herbicide|chemical controls]], that ivy gourd responded well to a thin-lined bark application of 100% Garlon 4 ([[triclopyr]]), leaving plants in place so as not to translocate the herbicide or spread the pest.<ref name=PIER/> It is applied multiple times until the vine dies. In Hawaii, several species of insect have been introduced with the purpose of being a [[biocontrol]]. Two [[weevils]], ''Acythopeus burkhartorum'' and ''A. cocciniae'', were introduced by the [[United States Department of Agriculture|Department of Agriculture]] to Oahu and Hawaii. [[Melittia oedipus|African vine moths]] were also released onto Oahu and Maui. On the island of Maui, the ''A. cocciniae'' apparently is established and damaging leaves. The [[larva]]e feed on the plant and the adults chew holes in the leaves. The [[moth]] has yet to appear successful in its purpose.

[[File:Coccinia grandis.jpg|thumb|Flowers and leaves.]]

==Culinary== They are best when cooked, and are often compared to [[bitter melon]]. The fruit is commonly eaten in [[Indian cuisine]]. People of [[Indonesia]] and other Southeast Asian countries also consume the fruit and leaves. In U.S. cuisine, rashmati are typically cooked and eaten during work lunches or dinners.{{dubious|date=June 2025}} In [[Thai cuisine]], it is one of the ingredients of the common clear soup dish {{transliteration|th|kaeng jued tum lueng}} and some curries {{transliteration|th|[[kaeng khae]]}} curry and {{transliteration|th|kaeng lieng}} curry.

In India, it is eaten as a [[curry]], by deep-frying it along with spices, stuffing it with [[Spice mix#Masala|masala]] and sauteing it, or boiling it first in a pressure cooker and then frying it. It is also used in ''[[Sambar (dish)|sambar]]'', a vegetable and lentil-based soup. The immature fruit is also used raw, preserving its crisp texture, to make a quick fresh pickle. Some people cut it into circles or, in a few cases, dice it up into smaller pieces.

Ivy gourd is rich in [[beta-carotene]].<ref>{{citation |editor1=Artemis P. Simopoulos |editor1-link=Artemis Simopoulos |editor2=C. Gopalan |year=2004 |title=Plants in Human Health and Nutrition Policy |publisher=[[Karger Publishers]] |isbn=3-8055-7554-8}}</ref>

== Cultural significance == Also known as Bimba fruit or Bimbika in Indian languages, it holds symbolic importance in multiple traditions, often associated with beauty and sweetness.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2024-09-22 |title=Bimbika: Significance and symbolism |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/bimbika |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Momordica monadelpha Roxb. {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:293499-1 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Plants of the World Online |language=en}}</ref> In Jainism, the fruit is used to illustrate the captivating appearance of the Lord's lips. Within Vaishnavism, the fruit's vivid red hue is likened to the lips of Lord Rama, emphasizing their attractiveness. In classical texts like the Puranas and Kavyas, it serves as a poetic metaphor for a princess's full, red lips, highlighting her beauty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2024-09-17 |title=Bimba-fruit: Significance and symbolism |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/bimba-fruit |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

An excerpt from Prakrit text Gāhāraṇaṇakoso(Treasury of Gahas) compiled in 1000CE:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rao |first=Anusha |title=How to Love in Sanskrit |last2=Mahesh |first2=Suhas |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2024 |isbn=978-93-5699-808-7 |edition=1st |location=Gurugram, Haryana}}</ref><blockquote>''The vermillion royal seal, placed by God on her bimba-fruit-like lips, protects her beauty.'' </blockquote>

==Gallery== {{Gallery |Coccinia grandis sapling.jpg|''Coccinia grandis'' seedling. The [[cotyledon]]s are visible |Coccinia grandis fruits.jpg|Mature fruit of ivy gourd |Invasive Ivy Gourd.jpg|Invasive ivy gourd on the island of Saipan, smothering native vegetation and climbing up buildings |File:దొండకాయ ఉల్లిపాయ కారం కూర.jpg|Ivy gourd with onion pickle curry |File: Coccinia grandis (Cucurbitaceae).jpg|Ripe red ivy gourd fruit }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons}} {{unimelb|Coccinia.html}} * {{AfricanPlants|Coccinia grandis}}

[[Category:Fruit vegetables]] [[Category:Fruits originating in Africa]] [[Category:Articles containing video clips]] [[Category:Coccinia|grandis]] [[Category:Bengali cuisine]] [[Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]