The following is to introduce you to the relevant knowledge about the form, use and its existence in western countries.
1. Morphological characteristics
"Luffa" is actually a variant of "gourd". Its fruit is long and slender, similar to persimmon coconut, and has obvious appearance characteristics. The outer surface is green or light yellow, and the epidermis has a fine grid structure. After cutting, there will be many filaments in the melon meat, so it is also called "loofah".
The stems and branches of Luffa are rough, ribbed and puberulent. Tendrils slightly stout, pubescent, usually 2-4-pronged. Petiole rough, subglabrous; Leaf blade triangular or suborbicular, usually palmately 5-7-lobed, lobes triangular, dark green above, rough, warty, light green below, pubescent, palmately veined, with white pubescence. Monoecious.
Male flowers usually 15-20 flowers, born in the upper part of raceme; Stamens are usually 5, slightly close at the beginning of flower opening, and finally completely separated. The female flower is solitary, and the pedicel is 2- 10 cm long; Ovary long cylindrical, pilose, stigma enlarged.
The fruit is cylindrical, straight or slightly curved, with smooth surface, usually with dark longitudinal stripes, fleshy when it is immature, dry when it is ripe, and reticular fibers inside. The seeds are numerous, black, oval, smooth, and narrowly winged. Flower and fruit period: summer and autumn.
Step 2 use
Luffa is a very common food, which is widely eaten in southern China. It can not only be used to make soup, but also be fried as a light vegetable, with a refreshing and delicious taste. In addition, the fruit of "Luffa" can also be made into a sponge-like water supplier, so it can also be used as a bathing tool for exfoliation after drying.
3. Usage in Western countries
In the west, "loofah" is also called "loofah", which is mainly used for bath cleaning. Because of its unique fiber texture and exfoliating effect in bathing, it is also found in the regular commodity list of some brands' open-air shelves.
Although at home, people pay more attention to the edible value of "Luffa", while abroad, they pay more attention to its cleaning and beauty effects. But whether in the East or the West, "Luffa" can be said to be a multifunctional plant variety, which brings us various practical application values.