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WHITE GOURD, CHINESE PRESERVING MELON, OR CASSABANA
Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., family Cucurbitaceae

This plant provides a staple Chinese food common in San Francisco markets and to some extent in southern Florida. The fruit may be eaten raw, similar to cucumbers, or cooked. It is bland and filling, but is not high in calories, being more of a food extender.

Plant:

The white gourd is a long running vine with brown hairy stems and broad leaves, 6 to 10 inches across. It produces a nearly spherical to oblong, 10- to 16-inch fruit, somewhat like a watermelon (Bailey 1949*). The rind is not durable, but the fruit may keep 12 months.

Inflorescence:

The plant is monoecious, the flowers being 3 to 4 inches across, yellow, and showy. The staminate flowers have long peduncles, the pistillate ones are short stalked or almost sessile; the three stigmas lead to many ovules. Flowers constantly form which permits constant refruiting.

Pollinators:

Apparently, this plant is insect pollinated, but the pollinating agents are unknown.

Pollination Recommendations and Practices:

None.

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