Loofah

Luffa cylindrica

Vegetable scrub brush

Location: National Museum of Japanese History 'Botanical Garden'
Location: National Museum of Japanese History 'Botanical Garden'
Location: Kazuyo's house
Location: Shirakawa volost
Location: Shirakawa volost
Location: Yamanashi Prefecture
Location: My home
Location: Shirakawa volost
Location: Okinawa Iland

Flower name
Loofah
Scientific name
Luffa cylindrica
Alias糸瓜, Luffa
Place of originIndia and West Asia
Place of floweringGarden, Field
Flowering seasonJuly, August, September

What is Loofah

Loofah or "loofa."(Scientific Name: Luffa cylindrica), native to India and other parts of West Asia, is an annual climbing plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family and the Luffa genus.
The vines can grow up to about 4 meters long. The leaves are palmate or heart-shaped with lobes.
Loofah plants are monoecious, bearing separate male and female flowers. Female flowers bloom singly, while male flowers appear in racemes, and the plant is self-compatible.
From summer to autumn, the plant produces yellow flowers approximately 8 cm in diameter, resembling those of the bitter melon (Momordica charantia) or the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).
Between August and late October, it yields green, oval-shaped fruits that measure 3–10 cm in diameter and 20–100 cm in length. The fruit’s flesh is pale yellow in color.
Water extracted from the stems is used as "loofah water," commonly utilized as a facial toner. The fruit, when processed, becomes a fibrous sponge often used as a body scrub in baths.
In Okinawa, young loofah fruits are cooked into a dish called "Nabera Champuru," similar to Goya Champuru.
Loofahs are also grown for their shade-providing greenery in the summer and are frequently used in elementary school science classes, much like morning glories, for educational observation.

Common Name: Loofah (Ito-uri)
Scientific Name: Luffa aegyptiaca
Synonym: Luffa cylindrica
Other Names: Loofah, Loofa
Classification: Kingdom: Plantae; Division: Angiosperms; Class: Dicotyledons; Order: Cucurbitales; Family: Cucurbitaceae; Genus: Luffa
Origin: West Asia
Vine Length: 4 meters
Leaf Shape: Palmate or heart-shaped with lobes
Flower Type: Monoecious; Female Flowers: Solitary; Male Flowers: Raceme
Blooming Season: Summer to Autumn
Flower Diameter: 8 cm
Flower Color: Yellow
Self-Compatibility: Yes
Harvest Period: August to late October
Fruit Shape: Oblong
Fruit Length: 20–100 cm
Fruit Diameter: 3–10 cm
Fruit Skin Color: Green
Fruit Flesh Color: Pale Yellow
Uses: Shade plant, cosmetic toner, sponge (loofah), edible (Okinawa).