Family Cucurbitaceae

Gourd Family

HAWAII - POLYNESIAN INTRODUCTION

Lagenaria siceraria

UH Manoa, Oahu

BOTTLE or CALABASH GOURD, LONG SQUASH   IPU    HYOTAN

Vine cultivated for large fruit harvested young as vegetable or allowed to ripen into hard-shelled gourd made into calabashes & musical implements.  One of the earliest plants known to be in cultivation throughout the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabash

HAWAII - NATURALIZED

Momordica charantia

Koko Crater, Oahu

BITTER MELON

Weedy vine of dry disturbed areas.  This is the wild poisonous form of this plant.  Cultivated plants have larger edible fruit.  Native to tropical Africa, Asia & Australia.

Coccinea grandis

Bellows AFB, Oahu

IVY or SCARLET-FRUITED GOURD

Invasive vine of dry disturbed areas.  Tuberous root makes it difficult to eradicate.  Native to tropical Africa, Asia & Australia.

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