View source for Trichosanthes dioica

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Trichosanthes dioica''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Cucurbitales]]
| familia = [[Cucurbitaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Trichosanthes]]''
| species = '''''T. dioica'''''
| binomial = ''Trichosanthes dioica''
| binomial_authority = [[Roxb.]]
}}

'''''[[Trichosanthes]] dioica''''' is also known as the '''pointed gourd''', '''parwal''' (from [[Hindi]]), or '''potol''' (from [[Oriya language|Oriya]] or [[Bengali language|Bengali]] ''pôţol'').  Colloquially, in India, it is often called ''green potato''. It is widely cultivated in the eastern part of [[India]], particularly in [[Orissa]], [[Bengal]], [[Assam]], [[Bihar]], and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. It is a good source of [[carbohydrate]]s, [[vitamin A]], and [[vitamin C]]. It also contains major nutrients and [[trace elements]] ([[magnesium]], [[potassium]], [[copper]], [[sulphur]], and [[chlorine]]) which are needed in small quantities, for playing essential roles in human physiology.

It is a perennial fruit, similar to [[cucumber]] and [[squash (fruit)|squash]].  It is a dioecious (male and female plants) vine (creeper) plant with heart-shaped leaves (cordate) and is grown on a trellis. The fruits are green with white or no stripes. Size can vary from small and round to thick and long &mdash; 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm). It thrives well under a hot to moderately warm and humid climate. The plant remains dormant during the winter season and prefers a fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil due to its susceptibility to water-logging. 

It is used as ingredients of [[soup]], [[stew]], [[curry]], [[Confectionery|sweet]], or eaten fried and as ''dorma'' with [[roe (egg)|roe]] stuffing.

Also see [[trichosanthes]], [[gourd]].