Gourd, Snake (Trichosanthes kirilowii) seeds, organic

Family:  Cucurbit (Cucurbitacea)

Hardy to Zones 7 to 12

(Tian-gua-fen, Tian gua, Gua-lou) Perennial vine.  Native to southern China and Vietnam. Unusual in that it produces a perennial tuberous root. Traditional usage (TCM): Legion, one of the 50 fundamental herbs of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.  Source of the anti-retroviral (anti-AIDS) constituent trichosanthine. Food use–immature or mature gourds. The plant  is not self-fertile, it is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant). Both male and female plants must be grown if fruits and seeds are desired.  Plant prefers sun to part shade, regular garden soil and a trellis.  In the spring or early summer, sow seed in hills 3 feet apart.  Thin to 3 good seedlings per hill.  Harvest fruits after first frost.

Packet contains 10 seeds
10 g contains ~50 seeds
100 g contains ~500 seeds
Certified Organically Grown