Plant Profile: Lagenaria siceraria

Bottle gourd, also known as calabash, is a climbing plant from the squash family that is cultivated annually for its uniquely shaped fruits. The name of its genus comes from the Greek word "lagenos," meaning "vase." Once dried, these fruits can serve various purposes, including as containers, pipes, and rattles. The large white flowers bloom at night, and hand-pollination can improve fruit production. All parts of the plant—seeds, leaves, flowers, and young stems—are edible. It is advisable to sow seeds outdoors only after the last frost, and the fruits should be picked only once their skin has hardened.