The family of Cucurbitaceae is known for its commercially important members, viz., Snake Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Ash Gourd, Ridge Gourd, Pumpkin, etc. But how many of you have heard about Spine Gourd? Spine Gourd is an underutilised indigenous wild vegetable growing as a perennial climber with tuberous root and belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. The plant is grown widely in different parts of the country. Immature tender green fruits are cooked as vegetables. Young leaves, flower and tuberous roots are also eaten. It contains high amount of carotene and protein.This wild edible vegetable is now gaining commercial importance especially for its medicinal value.The plant is dioecious i.e., male and female flowers are borne separately in different plants.
Unlike other gourd species the fruit is bitterless and nutritionally and medicinally rich and has high demand in market. Spine Gourd is otherwise known as teasel gourds and is popular as Kantola or Kakrol in....
