Luffa
Genus of vines / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about the plant. For the sponge made from it, see Exfoliation (cosmetology) § Loofah.
Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the pumpkin, squash and gourd family (Cucurbitaceae).
Quick Facts Luffa, Scientific classification ...
Luffa | |
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Egyptian luffa with nearly mature fruit | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Cucurbitales |
Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
Subfamily: | Cucurbitoideae |
Tribe: | Sicyoeae |
Genus: | Luffa Mill.[1] |
Species[2] | |
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Synonyms[2] | |
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In everyday non-technical usage, the luffa, also spelled loofah[3] or less frequently loofa,[4] usually refers to the fruits of the species Luffa aegyptiaca and Luffa acutangula. It is cultivated and eaten as a vegetable, but must be harvested at a young stage of development to be edible. The vegetable is popular in India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Vietnam.[5] When the fruit is fully ripened, it is very fibrous. The fully developed fruit is the source of the loofah scrubbing sponge.