Everybody Loves Luffa!
In truth, I actually wanted to do Luffa for two reasons...
1) Because I've had a longstanding love affair with the natural sponges, and...
2) Because I finally have little Luffa gourds on my first, very own, Luffa vines! These should be supplying family, friends and neighbors with sponges very soon, as these not-so-little vines are prolific!
I had fully intended to be able to have pictures of my own to go along with the article, but we need a new digital camera (the one we have is archaic), so we'll just have to settle for all the interesting information and pictures of some other Luffas. But mine are cuter! LOL Or would that be, cucurbiter? As Luffa is a tropical member of the Cucurbitaceae...not a member of the Squash family, as many suppose, but of the Melons, and most closely related to the cucumber. Here's more on this amazing herb:
LUFFA Luffa aegyptica, Luffa actugangula or Luffa cylindrica
Parts Used: The "sponge", which is the fruit, is also the medicinal part of the plant.
Folklore/Common Names: luffa, luffah, loofah, loofa
Historical Reference:
There are two primary varieties of Luffas...Luffa aegyptiaca, the common bath sponge Luffa; and Luffa actugangula, or ridged luffa. While it is supposed that the varieties originated in India, the name is Arabic and actually comes from an Arabian word for the plant.
Common Luffa (Luffa aegyptiaca) has a more club-shaped fruit that can grow up to six feet in length. The fibers of this variety are much stronger and rougher than rigid Luffa, and thus better served for the lovely little bath scrubbers we all know so well today.
Luffa actuangula, or ridged Luffa, is the more edible variety and is picked at about 4 inches long. In this form it is a common vegetable throughout India, China and Japan, and in the Middle East the unripe fruit is also used for pickling.
Medicinal Use
Taken dried, as a tea, Luffa can be effective against colds, nasal and sinus inflammation, and in any instance where overall strengthening of the system is desired.
Gardening with Luffa
The herb itself is an annual vine that can climb up to 20 feet in height/length, and features gorgeous yellow blossoms prior to setting fruit. Germination from seed can be sporadic, with differing quality results, so start off with some purchased or transplanted seedlings for your first crop. Place them outdoors after all danger of frost is past. Remember, Luffa is basically a tropical plant, and prefers Full Sun, well-drained soil, good air circulation and does best in warm areas with a long growing season.
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