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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Trichosanthes cucumerina''
| image = Trichosanthes anguina.jpg
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Cucurbitales]]
| familia = [[Cucurbitaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Trichosanthes]]''
| species = '''''T. cucumerina'''''
| binomial = ''Trichosanthes cucumerina''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L]].
}}

'''''[[Trichosanthes]] cucumerina''''' is a tropical or subtropical [[vine]], raised for its strikingly long [[fruit]], used as a [[vegetable]] and for medicine. Other names include '''snake gourd''' ( ''Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina'' ), '''serpent gourd''', '''chichinga''', and '''padwal'''. It is known as pudalankaai in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], paduvalakaayi in [[Kannada]] and padavalanga in [[Malayalam]].

The narrow, soft-skinned fruit can reach 150 cm long. Its soft, bland, somewhat [[mucilage|mucilaginous]] flesh is similar to that of the [[luffa]] and the [[calabash]]. It is most popular in the cuisine of [[South Asia]] and [[Southeast Asia]].
The [[shoot]]s, [[tendril]]s, and [[leaf|leaves]] are also eaten as [[leaf vegetable|greens]].

==See also==
It is called POTLA KAAYA in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.
* [[Trichosanthes]]
* [[Gourd]]

[[Image:Trichosanthes cucumerina flower.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The lace-like flower of ''T. cucumerina'' opens only after dark. Here, it is shown in the process of unfurling.]]
[[Image:Trichosanthes Cucumerina aka Snake Gourd.jpeg|thumb|left|250px|A full grown snake gourd.]]

==External links==
{{commonscat|Snake Gourd}}
* A [http://delectable-victuals.blogspot.com/2006/10/snake-gourd.html recipe] for cooking snake gourd (with photo).
* [http://indianfoodfacts.blogspot.com/2007/01/snakegourd-raita-pudalangai-pachadi.html Snake Gourd Raita]


[[Category:Cucurbitaceae]]
[[Category:Vegetable-like fruits]]


{{vegetable-stub}}
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