4 pics of Luffa and Mikania
Luffa cylindrica (Syn. aegyptica- though native to India)-In Bengali
- Dhundul, Hindi- Ghia Torai.This Luffa sp. has two vars. -one sweet
and the other bitter, the sweet var. used as vegetables. Ripe fruits
of both vars. yield what is known as bath-sponge.(pics. 1 and 3). Pic
2 shows both Mikania and Luffa, Pic 4 only Mikania.Fruits in Fig 1,
upper left are of silk cotton, Luffa fruit is labeled.
Mikania scandens- a weed introduced during second world war, has
spread rapidly in the eastern part of India, has become a menace for
Tea gardens in Assam and N. bengal, although claimed to be rich source
of vitamins.
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