Skip to content
Login
India Biodiversity Portal
India Biodiversity Portal
SpeciesMapsDocuments

Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.

Synonym: Benincasa pruriens f. hispida (Thunb.) de Wilde & Duyfjes
Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.
Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.
Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.
/Benincasa hispida/317.JPG
/Benincasa hispida/41.jpg
/Benincasa hispida/477.jpg
🗒 Synonyms
No Data
🗒 Common Names
Assamese
  • Komora
Bengali
  • Chalkumra
  • Kumra
Eng
  • Ash Gourd
  • Wax Gourd
  • White Gourd
  • Winter Melon
English
  • Ash gourd
  • Wax gourd
  • White gourd melon
Hin
  • Petha
  • Pethakaddu
Hindi
  • पेठा Petha
  • पेठाकद्दू Pethakaddu
Kannada
  • Boodu Gumbala
  • Budekumbalakayi
Malayalam
  • Elavan
  • Kumbalam
  • Neyakumbalam
  • കുമ്പളങ്ങ Kumbalanga
Manipuri
  • Torobot
  • তোৰোবোত Torobot
Marathi
  • कोहळा Kohla
Nepali
  • Kubindo
Other
  • Ash Gourd
  • Kohala
  • Kumbalanga
  • Poosanikaai
  • Wax Gourd
  • White Gourd
  • Winter Melon
Others (Tribal) Tangkhul
  • Katsenghei
Sanskrit
  • Brihatphala
  • Ghrinavasa
  • Gramyakarkati
  • Karkaru
Tamil
  • Neer Poosanikai
Telugu
  • Boodida Gummadikaaya
mal
  • Kumbalanga
mar
  • Kohla
📚 Overview
Overview
Summary
Brief
Flowering class: Dicot Habit: Climber Distribution notes: Exotic
Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
AttributionsDr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
Contributors
D. Narasimhan
StatusUNDER_CREATION
LicensesCC_BY
References
    Diagnostic Keys
    Description
    Monoecious, hispid climbers; tendrils 2-3-fid. Leaves large, to 25 x 25cm, orbicular-cordate, 5-7-lobed, margin irregularly dentate, scabrous; petiole to 15 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary. Calyx tube 10-13 mm across, broadly campanulate; lobes 8-12 x 3-5 mm, lanceolate. Corolla yellow; petals 5, 3-5 cm long obovate. Stamens in male flowers 3, inserted at the calyx tube; anthers sigmoid-flexuous; connectives 3-lobed; pistillode short. Ovary in female flowers ovoid, densely pubescent; ovules many; style thick 2-3 mm long. Fruits large, succulent, densely hairy when young, with a thick waxy deposit when mature. Seeds 8-12 x 5-7 mm, avoid, compressed, yellowish white, marginate.
    Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
    AttributionsDr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
    Contributors
    StatusUNDER_CREATION
    LicensesCC_BY
    References
      Plants are scandent or creeping. The stem and branches are covered with villi or thick-coarse hispid hair which are yellow-brown in color and with deep narrow angular grooves. The petiole is robust, covered with villi or thick-coarse hispid hair and 5–20 cm. The leaf blade is 15-30 cm in width, reniform-orbicular, with 5–7 lobes. The lobes are ovate or triangular, both the surfaces are hairy, adaxially covered densely with soft fine hairs, abaxially it is densely pubescent, the base is deeply cordate, the sinus is almost rounded, the apex is acute and margin is dentate. The male flowers: Densely covered with thick coarse hair and villi, pedicel is 5–15 cm. The bract is broadly oblong or ovate, the apex is acute and calyx tube is 12–15 mm in diameter, the surface is covered by dense thick hair and villi. The segments are 8–12mm, the corolla is yellow, both the surfaces are pubescent, segments 3–6 x 2.5–3.5 cm, filaments are 2–3 mm, the base is expanded, the anthers are ~5mm. Female flowers: Covered with dense yellow-brown thick and coarse hair and villi, ovary ovoid and cyllindric, pedicel less than 5 cm, style 2–3mm, the stigmas are 12–15 mm. Fruit 50–60 x 10–25 cm in size. The seeds are pale yellow or white, 10–11 x 5–7 mm, ~2mm in thickness and marginate. Flowering June-September. Fruiting July-November.
      Compiled from secondary sources listed in references by Keerthi Krutha for the Assam Biodiversity Portal Project.
      AttributionsCompiled from secondary sources listed in references by Keerthi Krutha for the Assam Biodiversity Portal Project.
      Contributors
      StatusUNDER_CREATION
      LicensesCC_BY
      References
        Habit: Climber
        G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
        AttributionsG. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
        Contributors
        StatusUNDER_CREATION
        LicensesCC_BY
        References
          No Data
          📚 Natural History
          Cyclicity
          Flowering and fruiting: June-October
          Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
          AttributionsDr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
          Contributors
          StatusUNDER_CREATION
          LicensesCC_BY
          References
            Miscellaneous Details
            Notes: Cultivated, Native of Indonesia
            G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
            AttributionsG. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
            Contributors
            StatusUNDER_CREATION
            LicensesCC_BY
            References
              No Data
              📚 Habitat and Distribution
              General Habitat
              Cultivated
              Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
              AttributionsDr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
              Contributors
              StatusUNDER_CREATION
              LicensesCC_BY
              References
                Cosmopolitian
                Dr. Chandra Barooah & Iftikher Ahmed (2014) Assam Science Technology and Environment Council.
                AttributionsDr. Chandra Barooah & Iftikher Ahmed (2014) Assam Science Technology and Environment Council.
                Contributors
                StatusUNDER_CREATION
                LicensesCC_BY
                References
                  Description
                  Global Distribution

                  Wild in Java; now widely naturalised in Tropical Asia

                  Indian distribution

                  State - Kerala, District/s: All Districts

                  Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
                  AttributionsDr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
                  Contributors
                  StatusUNDER_CREATION
                  LicensesCC_BY
                  References
                    Maharashtra: Nasik Kerala: All districts Tamil Nadu: All districts
                    G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
                    AttributionsG. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
                    Contributors
                    StatusUNDER_CREATION
                    LicensesCC_BY
                    References
                      Global Distribution

                      India: Cultivated Throughout; France, China, Japan,polynesia, Eastern Australia, Malaysia

                      Local Distribution

                      Throughout Assam

                      Dr. Chandra Barooah & Iftikher Ahmed (2014) Assam Science Technology and Environment Council.
                      AttributionsDr. Chandra Barooah & Iftikher Ahmed (2014) Assam Science Technology and Environment Council.
                      Contributors
                      StatusUNDER_CREATION
                      LicensesCC_BY
                      References
                        Global Distribution

                        Taiwan (introduced), Japan (introduced), China (introduced), Korea (introduced), trop. Africa (introduced), Java (introduced), Thailand (introduced), Cuba (introduced), Hispaniola (introduced), Venezuela (introduced), widely cultivated (introduced), Malesia (introduced), Mexico (introduced), Seychelles (introduced), New Caledonia, Fiji (introduced), Micronesia (introduced) (Yap (introduced), Pohnpei (introduced)), Northern Marianas (introduced) (Alamagan (introduced)), Marquesas Isl. (introduced) (Nuku Hiva (introduced), Hiva Oa (introduced)), Mauritius (introduced), Madagascar (introduced), Andamans (introduced), Nicobars (introduced), Palau Isl. (introduced), Society Isl. (introduced) (Tahiti (introduced)), Southern Marianas (introduced) (Saipan (introduced), Guam (introduced)), Tonga (introduced) (Vava'u (introduced)), Myanmar [Burma] (introduced), Nepal (introduced), India (introduced), Pakistan (introduced), Laos (introduced), Philippines (introduced), Vietnam (introduced), Maldives (introduced), Bangladesh (introduced), Trinidad & Tobago (introduced)

                        Compiled from secondary sources listed in references by Keerthi Krutha for the Assam Biodiversity Portal Project.
                        AttributionsCompiled from secondary sources listed in references by Keerthi Krutha for the Assam Biodiversity Portal Project.
                        Contributors
                        StatusUNDER_CREATION
                        LicensesCC_BY
                        References
                          No Data
                          📚 Occurrence
                          No Data
                          📚 Uses and Management
                          Uses
                          Medicinal
                          Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
                          AttributionsDr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
                          Contributors
                          StatusUNDER_CREATION
                          LicensesCC_BY
                          References
                            No Data
                            📚 Information Listing
                            References
                            1. Flora of Tamil Nadu, VOL. I, 1983
                            1. eFloras (2008). Published on the Internet http://www.efloras.org [accessed 02 May 2018] Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
                            2. Hassler M. (2018). World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World (version Dec 2017). In: Roskov Y., Abucay L., Orrell T., Nicolson D., Bailly N., Kirk P.M., Bourgoin T., DeWalt R.E., Decock W., De Wever A., Nieukerken E. van, Zarucchi J., Penev L., eds. (2018). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 28th March 2018. Digital resource at www.catalogueoflife.org/col. Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. ISSN 2405-8858.
                            1. Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. in A. & C. DC., Monogr. Phan 3: 513. 1881; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 121. 1982; Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 11: 9. 1982; Antony, Syst. Stud. Fl. Kottayam Dist. 181. 1989; Babu, Fl. Malappuram Dist. 284. 1990; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 317. 2009.
                            2. Cucurbita hispida Thunb., Fl. Jap. 322. 1784.
                            3. Benincasa cerifera Savi., Bibl. Ital. 9: 158. 1818; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 616. 1879; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 543(383). 1919.
                            Information Listing > References
                            1. Flora of Tamil Nadu, VOL. I, 1983
                            2. eFloras (2008). Published on the Internet http://www.efloras.org [accessed 02 May 2018] Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
                            3. Hassler M. (2018). World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World (version Dec 2017). In: Roskov Y., Abucay L., Orrell T., Nicolson D., Bailly N., Kirk P.M., Bourgoin T., DeWalt R.E., Decock W., De Wever A., Nieukerken E. van, Zarucchi J., Penev L., eds. (2018). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 28th March 2018. Digital resource at www.catalogueoflife.org/col. Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. ISSN 2405-8858.
                            4. Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. in A. & C. DC., Monogr. Phan 3: 513. 1881; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 121. 1982; Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 11: 9. 1982; Antony, Syst. Stud. Fl. Kottayam Dist. 181. 1989; Babu, Fl. Malappuram Dist. 284. 1990; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 317. 2009.
                            5. Cucurbita hispida Thunb., Fl. Jap. 322. 1784.
                            6. Benincasa cerifera Savi., Bibl. Ital. 9: 158. 1818; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 616. 1879; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 543(383). 1919.

                            Angiosperm diversity in Doaba region of Punjab, India

                            Journal of Threatened Taxa
                            No Data
                            📚 Meta data
                            🐾 Taxonomy
                            📊 Temporal Distribution
                            📷 Related Observations
                            👥 Groups
                            India Biodiversity PortalIndia Biodiversity Portal
                            Powered byBiodiversity Informatics Platform - v4.2.1
                            Technology PartnerStrand Life Sciences