Originally from tropical Asia, it is distributed all over the world, with the most cultivated in Asia, accounting for about 74% of the world's total output; Europe is second, accounting for about 14%. It is cultivated throughout China and is one of the main summer vegetables.

The fruit can be used as a vegetable. Roots, stems and leaves are used as medicine, astringent, diuretic effect, leaves can also be used as anesthetic. Seeds for decongestant, also used as a stimulant, but easy to cause gastric weakness and constipation, the fruit of raw food can solve the poisoning of edible bacteria.