Coccinia grandis
Also known as: Scarlet Ivy Gourd, Tindora, Kowai Fruit
This climbing vine is originally native to East Africa and has been introduced to Australia, the Caribbean, southern USA and the Pacific region. Young stems are annual and herbaceous, but can become perennial and woody with time. It will flower from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. It can become invasive in some places. The smooth and thin-skinned fruit turns red when fully ripe, and are only about 6cm long and 3.5cm wide.
Young leaves and long slender stem tops are cooked and eaten as a potherb or added to soups. Young and tender raw green fruits are used in salads or cooked and added to curries etc. Ripe and raw scarlet fruit are fleshy and sweet.
The juice of the roots and leaves is considered to be a useful treatment for diabetes. The juice of the stem is dripped into the eyes to treat cataracts. The leaves are used as a poultice in treating skin eruptions. The plant is laxative. It is used internally in the treatment of gonorrhoea. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant have shown hypoglycaemic principles. We cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Succeeds in most soils but prefers a sunny sheltered position in a humus-rich sandy soil. Dislikes clay soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. Keep the plant well watered in the growing season. USDA zones 8-11.
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Most specialty seeds we offer are NOT fast to germinate.
Many take several weeks, months, and some even up towards a year depending on dormancy, region, season etc. It is important that the buyer understands that seeds are perishable products and seed germination can be adversely affected by such factors as mold/fungus, bugs, temperature, moisture content, light intensity, dormancy, care, contamination of planting media among many other reasons. These factors are totally out of The Plant Attraction's control and are the buyer's responsibility and risk. Germination recommendations are sent with each order and the buyer is free to research and use their own methods. Floating seeds do not always indicate that the seed is not viable. Many times it is a misconception because the seed does not have the density to sink in water. Accordingly, The Plant Attraction does not guarantee seeds to perform properly regardless of conditions or buyer's methods or mistakes. Since 2006 we have been doing our best to hand sort and provide the freshest, cleanest harvest that is free of defects and bugs.