Star-shaped and Malodorous. Serpent Gourd, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Edible Garden, Taman Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Great Carolus Linnaeus, who named this plant in 1753, quotes as his source that highly capable All-Rounder Henrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein (1636-1691), who often passes in these my pages. A High Servant of the Dutch East Indies Trading Company (VOC), an admiral, administrator and colonial governor, and a not unobservant naturalist, he served among many other functions as governor of Cochin and the Malabar Coast of India (1669-1676). There he collected and described the local plants, usually giving also their indigenous names, notably those in Malayalam, the language of Kerala: in this case, Padávalam, which is still used today.
This plant's 'gourds' are shaped like cucumbers but much longer, serpentlike indeed, and they are a common vegetable in these parts. I haven't tasted it but I hope it savors better than it smells: Rheede remarks already on its 'heavy and malevolent' stink. Touching the vine, I'd slight bruised it and I know what I'm saying! I hurried away.
Star-shaped and Malodorous. Serpent Gourd, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Edible Garden, Taman Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Great Carolus Linnaeus, who named this plant in 1753, quotes as his source that highly capable All-Rounder Henrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein (1636-1691), who often passes in these my pages. A High Servant of the Dutch East Indies Trading Company (VOC), an admiral, administrator and colonial governor, and a not unobservant naturalist, he served among many other functions as governor of Cochin and the Malabar Coast of India (1669-1676). There he collected and described the local plants, usually giving also their indigenous names, notably those in Malayalam, the language of Kerala: in this case, Padávalam, which is still used today.
This plant's 'gourds' are shaped like cucumbers but much longer, serpentlike indeed, and they are a common vegetable in these parts. I haven't tasted it but I hope it savors better than it smells: Rheede remarks already on its 'heavy and malevolent' stink. Touching the vine, I'd slight bruised it and I know what I'm saying! I hurried away.