

How to identify Loofah (Luffa aegyptiaca)
Loofah, also known as Vegetable sponge, Egyptian cucumber, Dishrag gourd, Smooth luffa
Loofah possesses a climbing habit with tendrils that help it to ascend sturdy structures. It has luscious green foliage supported by vines that can stretch over 15 feet (4.5 meters) in length. The leaves are palmate, often 3 to 7 lobed, with a rough-textured surface. The flowers are yellow and have a typical cucurbit appearance. The fruit starts as a smooth, dark green gourd, less than 7 inches (around 18 cm) long when young, and transitions to a fibrous, tan-colored sponge-like texture as it matures. The mature fruit's skin can be removed after soaking, revealing a fibrous interior.
Tendrils aiding climbing on structures
Dark green, palmate leaves with lobes
Vibrant deep-yellow unisexual flowers
Subcylindrical fruit, 12-24 inches long
Five-angled stem with tendrils, up to 50 feet long
The leaves of loofah are dark green and simple, measuring about 10 inches (25 cm) in length. They are palmately-lobed with 5-7 lobes, giving them a star-like appearance. Both the upper and lower surfaces are covered in short white hairs, contributing to a rough texture. The leaves are supported by hairy stalks that are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. The vein pattern is prominent, with a central vein dividing into multiple smaller veins that support each lobe.
Loofah boasts vibrant deep-yellow, unisexual flowers that bloom during the summer. Each flower is 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in diameter. Male flowers, carried on racemes, have stalks on unbranched elongated inflorescences, while female flowers are solitary and positioned in the same leaf axils as the male flowers. These flowers are known for opening during the daytime and are a striking feature for identification.
The stem of loofah is five-angled, providing a distinct angular appearance. It can grow up to 50 feet (15 meters) in length, supporting a sprawling growth habit. At each point where tendrils extend, there are typically 2-6 tendrils. The stem is green, robust, with a slightly rough texture, and thicker at the base. Branching occurs along the length, and the stem's angles and tendrils are key identifiers for the plant.
The fruit of loofah is subcylindrical, generally measuring 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) in length. Upon reaching maturity, the initially green skin becomes dry and brown, revealing a smooth exterior without prominent ribs. As the fruit dries, a lid-like part, the operculum, forms at the apex, allowing it to split. Inside lies a spongy network acting as a skeleton, surrounding numerous smooth, black seeds, each edged with a wing-like margin. This transformation signifies the transition of the fruit from soft to fibrous.
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Scientific Classification of Loofah