Luffa operculata
Encyclopedia
Luffa operculata is a species of Luffa
. It is cultivated for its fruit, which is used to make a bath sponge. Its fruit is a capsule
with spikes and toxicity
. The fruit is dark-brown when mature. It is also grown in gardens and yards as an ornamental plant
. In colder places they can be grown indoors as a houseplant
.
The species name is derived from the word, operculum, meaning "little lid." When the fruits are mature, and the seeds are ready to be dispersed, a small part of the bottom opens up. Then, the seeds fall to the ground. This feature is illustrated in a photograph on Wikimedia commons: picture showing the operculum and seeds of Luffa operculata.
Luffa
The luffa, loofah, or lufah are tropical and subtropical vines comprising the genus Luffa, the only genus of the subtribe Luffinae of the plant family Cucurbitaceae...
. It is cultivated for its fruit, which is used to make a bath sponge. Its fruit is a capsule
Capsule (fruit)
In botany a capsule is a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. A capsule is a structure composed of two or more carpels that in most cases is dehiscent, i.e. at maturity, it splits apart to release the seeds within. A few capsules are indehiscent, for example...
with spikes and toxicity
Toxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage a living or non-living organisms. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ , such as the liver...
. The fruit is dark-brown when mature. It is also grown in gardens and yards as an ornamental plant
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
. In colder places they can be grown indoors as a houseplant
Houseplant
A houseplant is a plant that is grown indoors in places such as residences and offices. Houseplants are commonly grown for decorative purposes, positive psychological effects, or health reasons such as indoor air purification...
.
The species name is derived from the word, operculum, meaning "little lid." When the fruits are mature, and the seeds are ready to be dispersed, a small part of the bottom opens up. Then, the seeds fall to the ground. This feature is illustrated in a photograph on Wikimedia commons: picture showing the operculum and seeds of Luffa operculata.
