Mill., Cucurbitaceae |
Present on Pacific Islands? yes
Primarily a threat at high elevations? no
Other Latin names: Luffa cylindrica M. Roem.; Luffa pentandra Roxb.; Momordica cylindrica L.; Momordica luffa L.
Common name(s): [more details]
Chamorro: pachodag |
Chinese: si gua |
Chuukese: mororof |
English: climbing okra, dish-cloth gourd, dishrag gourd, loofah, rag gourd, scrubber gourd, smooth loofah, smooth luffa, sponge cucumber, sponge gourd, sponge luffa, towel gourd, vegetable sponge, wild vegetable sponge |
French: éponge végétale, courge torchon, gourde serviette, pétole, papengaye |
Japanese: hechima |
Korean: susemioi |
Maori (Cook Islands): pōue, puru |
Pohnpeian: rapkord, sehl-lap, selinahp, sellap |
Samoan: meleni vao |
Spanish: calabazo, esponga, esponja, estropajo, paste |
Tahitian: aroro, atiuaea, huaroro, huerhaho |
Tongan: fangu a kuma, mafai |
Wallisian: mafai |
Habit: vine
Description: "Vigorous climbing herb with branched tendrils. Leaves to ca 25 cm long. Lamina broad ovate in outline, scabrous, lobes mucronate, 5-7, the basal pair often very shallow and barely distinguishable from the mucronate marginal teeth, base forming a deep rounded sinus. Flowers yellow, to ca 8 cm across, male racemose, female solitary. Peduncle and furrowed ovary tomentose. Fruit more or less oblong, 30 cm or more long when mature, shallowly furrowed, a network of fibres inside. Seed broad ellipsoid, 13-15 mm long" (Sykes, 1970; pp. 78-79).
Habitat/ecology: "Uncommon in coastal and lowland disturbed places" (Whistler, 1988; p. 16). In New Caledonia, "présente depuis longtemps, est peu courante aujourd'hui dans les jardins et la végétation secondaire. Une forme à petits fruits est spontanée aux îles isolées Hunter et Surprise" (MacKee, 1994; p. 46).
Propagation: Seed
Native range: Old World, now widely cultivated and naturalized in many tropical areas (Smith, 1981; p. 682). "The common form that is cultivated and often naturalized in Pacific archipelagoes, usually indicated as var. insularum, was probably an aboriginal introduction that may have been variously modified by selection, but it scarcely seems to merit nomenclatural separation from L. cylindrica [=aegyptiaca]." (Smith, 1981; p. 682) "Probably an aboriginal introduction to Polynesia" (Whistler, 1988; p. 16).
Presence:
Pacific | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
American Samoa
Manua Islands |
Ofu Island | Whistler, W. A. (1980) (p. 159) | |
American Samoa
Manua Islands |
Ofu Island |
Whistler, W. A. (1990)
Vouchers cited: Garber 1119, Yuncker 9560 |
|
American Samoa
Manua Islands |
Ofu Island |
Yuncker, T. G. (1945) (p. 66)
Vouchers cited: Yuncker 9560 (BISH), Garber 1119 (BISH) |
|
American Samoa
Manua Islands |
Olosega Island | Whistler, W. A. (1980) (p. 159) | |
American Samoa
Manua Islands |
Olosega Island |
Whistler, W. A. (1990)
Voucher cited: Whistler 3067 |
|
American Samoa
Tutuila Islands |
Tutuila Island |
native
|
Setchell, William Albert (1924) (p. 43) |
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands |
Rota Island |
introduced
|
Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 49)
Var. insularum (Gray) Cogn. |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Aitutaki Atoll | McCormack, Gerald (2013) | |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Atiu Island | McCormack, Gerald (2013) | |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Mangaia Island | McCormack, Gerald (2013) | |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Mauke Island | McCormack, Gerald (2013) | |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Mitiaro Island | McCormack, Gerald (2013) | |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Rarotonga Island | McCormack, Gerald (2013) | |
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
San Cristóbal Group |
San Cristóbal Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008) |
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Santa Cruz Group |
Santa Cruz Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands |
Dublon (Tonowas) Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 178) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands |
Fefan Island | Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013) | |
Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands |
Tol Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 178) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands |
Ulalu (Romonum) Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 178) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands |
Weno (Moen) Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 178) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island |
Kosrae Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 178) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island |
Kosrae Island |
introduced
invasive |
Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 15)
Naturalized |
Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island |
Kosrae Island |
introduced
invasive |
Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 63) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island |
Kosrae Island |
probably introduced
|
Sanney, Jacob A. (2013) (p. 19)
KCSO target species 2013 |
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 178) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 60)
Voucher cited: Glassman 2913 (US) |
|
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
introduced
invasive |
Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 82)
Vouchers cited: A. Dores 127 (Bish, NY, PTBG), R. Gallen 82 (NY, PTBG), M. Hunt 4 (NY, PTBG), M. Takamatsu 733 (BISH), R.L. Ward s.n. (BISH) Invasive |
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 46204)
Taxon name on voucher: Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. var. var. insularum (A. Gray) Cogn. |
|
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 43579)
Taxon name on voucher: Luffa aegyptiaca |
|
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2001) (voucher ID: PTBG 43606)
Taxon name on voucher: Luffa aegyptiaca |
|
Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands |
Yap (Waqab) Island | Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013) | |
Fiji
Fiji Islands |
Taveuni Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 682)
Voucher cited: Seemann 193 Sparingly naturalized. |
Fiji
Fiji Islands |
Viti Levu Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 682)
Voucher cited: DA 12394 Sparingly naturalized. |
French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands |
Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013) |
French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands |
Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
Cultivée |
French Polynesia
Society Islands |
Raiatea (Havai) Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 94)
Vouchers cited: BRY 26107, BRY 26640 |
French Polynesia
Society Islands |
Tahiti Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 94)
Voucher cited: Setchelll & Parks 219 |
French Polynesia
Society Islands |
Tahiti Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
Cultivée |
Guam
Guam Island |
Guam Island |
native
cultivated |
Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 565)
Var. insularum (Gray) Cogniaux; vouchers cited: Stone 4315 (GUAM), G.E.S. 409 |
Guam
Guam Island |
Guam Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 178)
Var. insularum (Gray) Cogn. |
Marshall Islands
Ralik Chain |
Kili (Kõle) Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2006) (p. 7)
"Rare; one vine observed growing Bikini Projects garden, climbing over lime tree, somewhat smothering it". |
Marshall Islands
Ratak Chain |
Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 89) |
Nauru
Nauru Island |
Nauru Island |
introduced
invasive |
Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 124)
Vouchers cited: Fosberg 58587 (US), Fosberg 58731 (US), Thaman & Manner 75 (SUVA) |
New Caledonia
Récifs D'Entrecasteaux (D'Entrecasteaux Reefs) |
Île Surprise |
introduced
invasive |
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 46)
Voucher cited: Cherrier in MacKee 43872 |
New Caledonia
Hunter Island |
Île Hunter |
introduced
invasive |
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 46)
Voucher cited: Veillon 3398 |
New Caledonia
New Caledonia Archipelago |
Île Grande Terre |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 46)
Vouchers cited: Védel s.n., Vieillard 963, Balansa 540, Balansa 3300, Däniker 1667, MacKee 26572, MacKee 34132 |
New Caledonia
New Caledonia Archipelago |
Île des Pins (Isle of Pines) |
introduced
|
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 46)
Voucher cited: Pancher 693 |
Niue
Niue |
Niue Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 78)
Voucher cited: CHR 170272 |
Niue
Niue |
Niue Island |
introduced
invasive abo. intro. |
Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 16) |
Niue
Niue |
Niue Island |
introduced
invasive abo. intro. |
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 50) |
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) |
Palau Islands (main island group) |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 178) |
Papua New Guinea
Bismarck Archipelago |
Bismarck Archipelago |
Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (pp. 543-545)
Common everywhere. |
|
Papua New Guinea
Bougainville Islands |
Bougainville Island | Foreman, D. B. (1971) (p. 38) | |
Philippines
Philippine Islands |
Philippine Islands | Hafliger, Toni J./Wolf, Matthias (1988) (p. 237) | |
Philippines
Philippine Islands |
Philippine Islands |
Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 582)
Commonly cultivated for its edible fruits, the fruits being larger than the very common wild form which occurs in thickets in the settled areas. |
|
Samoa
Western Samoa Islands |
Western Samoa Islands | Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 16) | |
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands |
Solomon Islands |
native
|
Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 87) |
Tonga
Haapai Group |
Haapai Islands |
Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 18)
Voucher cited: Soakai 670 |
|
Tonga
Tongatapu Group |
Tongatapu Island |
Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 18)
Voucher cited: Moseley s.n. |
|
Tonga
Tongatapu Group |
Tongatapu Island |
Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 260)
Cited: Moseley. |
|
Tonga
Vavau Group |
Vavau Island |
Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 260)
Voucher cited: Yuncker 16165 |
|
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands |
Futuna Island |
native
|
Morat, Ph./Veillon, J.-M. (1985)
Morat & Veillon, 1985, cited in Meyer, 2007 |
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands |
Wallis and Futuna Islands | Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 16) |
Pacific Rim | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
Australia
Australia (continental) |
Australia (continental) | Hafliger, Toni J./Wolf, Matthias (1988) (p. 237) | |
Central America
Central America (Pacific rim) |
Honduras (Republic of) | Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 223) | |
China
China |
China (People's Republic of) |
introduced
cultivated |
Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013)
Commonly cultivated in China. |
China
China |
Hong Kong |
introduced
cultivated |
Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 106) |
Indonesia
Indonesia |
Indonesia (Republic of) | Hafliger, Toni J./Wolf, Matthias (1988) (p. 237) | |
Mexico
Mexico |
Mexico (United Mexican States) | Hafliger, Toni J./Wolf, Matthias (1988) (p. 237) |
Indian Ocean | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands)
Christmas Island Group |
Christmas Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 118)
Luffa sp. |
Maldives
Maldive Islands |
Malè Atoll | Fosberg, F. R. (1957) (p. 28) |
Comments: Cultivated and sparsely naturalized in Fiji (Smith, 1981; p. 682).
Control:
Physical: "Physical control can be effective if used repeatedly for an extended period" (Englberger, 2009; p. 24).
Chemical: "Triclopyr (Garlong 4) and glyphosate (Roundup) can be used" (Englberger, 2009; p. 24).