Wildflower of the valley
Redball Snake Gourd
Trichosanthes tricuspidata
- How easy to find
- Very rare — you need to search for it — local knowledge helps
- Flower size
- Medium to large
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae (Gourd family)
- Local name
- Indrayan
- Height
- large,medium
- Flower colour
- white
- Flowering
- April to September
About Redball Snake Gourd
Trichosanthes tricuspidata is an extensively branching climbing shrubs with trifid tendrils. Leaves are sub-orbicular, palmately 3-7 lobed. Flowers are white, large up to 10 cm. Stamens are 3. The specific name Tricuspidata refers to 3 - fid tendrils.
Where to find it
- Along the trail from Govindghat to Ghangaria
Habitat
Commonly occur along edges of forests and waste places.
Uses & folklore
Fruits and roots are used in the treatment of asthma, diabetes and bronchitis.
What the name means
Trichosanthes is Greek trichos (hair) + anthos (flower), after the fringed petals; tricuspidata means "three-pointed".
