Trichosanthes dioica

Taxobox
name = "Trichosanthes dioica"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Cucurbitales
familia = Cucurbitaceae
genus = "Trichosanthes"
species = "T. dioica"
binomial = "Trichosanthes dioica"
binomial_authority = Roxb.

"Trichosanthes dioica" is also known as the pointed gourd, parwal (from Hindi), or potol (from Oriya or Bengali "pôţol"). Colloquially, in India, it is often called "green potato". It is widely cultivated in the eastern part of India, particularly in Orissa, Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. It is a good source of carbohydrates, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It also contains major nutrients and trace elements (magnesium, potassium, copper, sulfur, and chlorine) which are needed in small quantities, for playing essential roles in human physiology.

It is a vine plant, similar to cucumber and squash, though unlike those it is perennial. It is a dioecious (male and female plants) vine (creeper) plant with heart-shaped leaves (cordate) and is grown on a trellis. The fruits are green with white or no stripes. Size can vary from small and round to thick and long — 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm). It thrives well under a hot to moderately warm and humid climate. The plant remains dormant during the winter season and prefers a fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil due to its susceptibility to water-logging.

It is used as ingredients of soup, stew, curry, sweet, or eaten fried and as "dorma" with roe stuffing.

Also see trichosanthes, gourd.

External links

* [http://www.ag.fvsu.edu/publicat/commoditysheets/fvsu013.htm An educational site]
* [http://www.food-india.com/ingredients/i001_i025/i004.htm Some Indian recipes]