Description
Bottle Gourd :
The bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), also known as calabash, lauki, doodhi, or sorakaya, is a fast-growing vine from the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It is cultivated primarily for its edible, light green fruit, which can be shaped like a bottle, club, or cylinder depending on the variety.
Key Characteristics:
Scientific Name: Lagenaria siceraria
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Common Names: Bottle gourd, calabash, lauki, doodhi, sorakaya
Origin: Believed to be native to Africa, but widely cultivated in Asia and other tropical/subtropical regions.
Physical Description:
Fruit: Light green, smooth-skinned, and tender when young. Shapes vary—long and cylindrical, round, or bottle-shaped.
Leaves: Broad, heart-shaped with a rough texture.
Flowers: White, funnel-shaped, usually blooming at night.
Vine: Climbs using tendrils, can grow rapidly with support.
Culinary Use:
Eaten as a vegetable when young and tender.
Used in curries, stews, soups, and desserts (like lauki halwa).
Also juiced for health benefits.
Nutritional Benefits:
High in water content (~92%).
Low in calories and fat.
Contains vitamin C, vitamin B-complex, and minerals like calcium and iron.
Known for its cooling effect on the body and digestive benefits.
Other Uses:
Mature, dried gourds are used to make utensils, containers, musical instruments, and decorative items in many cultures
