Meet Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina, a tropical vine with a flair for drama! Part of the cucumber family, this fruit goes by many names including striped gourd, snake gourd, or “chichinda” to the locals.
But no matter what you call it; this plant is a showstopper. Why? Well, one of the fruits from my vine stretched an astonishing 32 inches long! (Zoom in on the photo to see for yourself!)
This vine
wasn’t just an experiment; it was a bit of a legacy project. A farmer friend of
mine, who sells at the local market, gifted me her last five seeds. In
exchange, I promised to return seeds from my harvest. Ever the curious
gardener, I planted one seed and sent the other four to the Seed Bank at the
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
The Vine That Climbed an Orange Tree
Instead of building a trellis, I let my vine climb my orange tree, which basks in full sunlight and doubles as a natural support system. The vine with its delicate white flowers sprawled naturally across the branches.
The fruits
begin their journey straight as arrows but starts to curl whenever they
encounter obstacles—leaves, stems, or even their own wandering vines. If you’re
aiming for perfectly straight fruits, a proper trellis system is your best bet.
The Colorful Finale
As these fruits mature, they trade their green stripes for a brilliant flaming orange hue. It’s a visual treat and the perfect signal for seed saving. True to my promise, I’m saving two fruits: one for me and one for my farmer friend.
For me, there is nothing more rewarding than sharing the fruits of my harvest. So off I go, taking my harvest to my sister.
Gardening often feels like a collaboration—with nature, with fellow growers, and even with the unexpected twists and turns (literally!) that each plant brings. And with Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina, it’s a collaboration that’s long, winding, and utterly rewarding.
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