Luffa cylindrica Seeds - Loofah, Sponge Gourds, Vegetable Sponge, Wash Sponge

Luffa cylindrica Seeds

Loofah, Sponge Gourds, Vegetable Sponge, Wash Sponge, Gourd Towel, Dishcloth Gourd

Luffa cylindrica or Sponge luffa is a tropical running vine with rounded leaves and yellow flowers. The dried fruit fibres are used as abrasive sponges in skin care, to remove dead skin and to stimulate the circulation. The fruit are 30 to 50 centimetres long, cylindrical and smooth skinned. The interior of the gourds contains white flesh as well as a fibrous structure that is dried and used as a sponge. Luffa cylindrica is a very fast growing vine and will reach 3 to 4.5 meter. The vines may be left to grow on the ground but grows best when given a support to grow on. If growing for sponges, allow the fruits to turn from green to yellow on the vine. Fruits will lose quite a bit of moisture and become light. Harvest, pull of thin outer skin and remove seeds. The fibrous core should then be bleached and dried before using. Young fruit can be eaten raw like cucumber or cooked like squash, while the young leaves; shoots, flower buds, as well as the flowers can be eaten after being lightly steamed. The seeds can be roasted as a snack, or pressed to produce oil.