Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. It is a cucurbitaceae plant originating in India and widely planted in East Asia. As a climbing herb of Cucurbitaceae, Luffa has a strong root system. Stems are tendrils, with five edges, green, main tendrils and lateral tendrils growing luxuriantly. Stems have branched tendrils and are prone to adventitious roots. It is distributed and cultivated at home and abroad.

Fruit is a summer vegetable, which contains various nutrients higher in melon food, and special substances such as saponins, bitter quality of towel gourd, mucilage, wood glue, citrulline, xylan and interferon have certain special functions.

When mature, the reticular fiber inside is called loofah, which can be used instead of sponge to wash stoves and furniture; It can also be used for medicine, and has the effects of cooling, diuresis, blood circulation, menstruation and detoxification. Originated in Nanyang, it was introduced to China in the Ming Dynasty and became a common vegetable for people. In addition, the homophonic "dead hanging" of loofah is a nickname for hanging in the game, and "smelly loofah" is also a nickname for hanging.

Pilose, stigma 3, swollen. The fruit is cylindrical, straight or slightly curved, with a length of 15-30 cm and a diameter of 5-8 cm. The surface is smooth, usually with dark longitudinal stripes. It is fleshy when it is immature, dry when it is ripe, and the inside is reticulate fiber, which is cracked by the top. Seeds are numerous, black, oval, flat, smooth, and narrowly winged. Flower and fruit period: summer and autumn.