Trichosanthes kirilowii
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Perennial vine. Native to southern China and Viet Nam.
Unusual gourd, in that it produces a perennial tuberous root. Each
year in early summer, the vine re-grows, producing again the outrageously
frilled white, tubular flowers which give way to yellow ovoid fruits.
This plant contains the anti-retroviral (anti-AIDS) constituent trichosanthine.
The kernel is prescribed as an antitussive and expectorant, emollient for
treating skin problems, including herpes zoster (shingles). Cultivation:
Easy. Sow the seed in well-manured hills in the garden. It
will come up. Or, you can start it indoors in the early spring in
pots, and transplant. Space hills 3 feet apart. Vines to 6
feet, more in warmer climates. Trellis. The plant is dioecious,
so you must have a male and female plant in order to produce fruit.
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