Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.


Synonym : Benincasa cerifera Savi
Benincasa vacua (F.Muell.) F.Muell.
Cucurbita hispida Thunb.
Cucurbita vi
Bangla Name : Chalkumra,Chalkumra(Chakma),Anda-chae(Chak),Akkharu(Garo),Aamy-kaowling(khasia),umaei(Lushai),Kampen
English Name : Ash gourd,Wax gourd,White gourd.
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Disease : Colic, diabetes, oedema, haemorrhages, phthisis, facial euruption, antidote, insanity, epilepsy, nervous diseases, strangury, urinary calculi, tapeworms, heart diseases, tuberculesis, tympanitis, colic pain, bruises.
Description : Monoecious, hispid climbers;Leaves large, orbicular-cordate, margin irregularly dentate, scabrous. Flowers axillary, solitary. Calyx tube broadly campanulate, lanceolate. Corolla yellow; petals 5, obovate. Stamens in male flowers 3, inserted at the calyx tube; anthers sigmoid-flexuous. Ovary in female flowers ovoid, densely pubescent; ovules many. Fruits large, succulent, densely hairy when young, with a thick waxy deposit when mature. Seeds avoid, compressed, yellowish white, marginate.
Distribution : This species found throughout Bangladesh.
Chemical Constituents : Fruits contain ?- sitosterol, asparagine, luoeol, mannitol, proline, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, cysteine, L-leucine, n-triacontanol, glucose and rhamnose. Source of vitamin B1.
Uses : The plant is used in Colic, diabetes, oedema, haemorrhages, phthisis, facial euruption, antidote, insanity, epilepsy, nervous diseases, strangury, urinary calculi, tapeworms, heart diseases, tuberculesis, tympanitis, colic pain, bruises.
Habit : Climber