Tropical and subtropical vegetables (2+1)

Economic importance

• It is a monoecious, annual, herbaceous climber. The immature fruit is boiled and eaten. The fruits are slender, long tapering and 30-150cm long. Occasionally, shoots and tender leaves are also used as vegetable.
• Fruit improves the appetite, acts as a tonic and stomachic and cures bilousness. The root and seeds are anthelmintic and are also used in the treatment of diarrhoea, bronchitis and fever. The fruits are long, narrow, cylindrical and pointed at both the ends. The fruits are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins A, B and C.