I'EGETAHLES AX I) FOOD PRODUCTS 215 



plant is an annual, with white flowers (about 2i inches across), 

 and may be grown on the ground or supported on trellises, etc. 



Luffa acutangula. "Veta-kolu" or " Dara-vetakolu " S.; 

 " Pekankai " or " Pey-pichukku " T. A climbing gourd, bearing 

 fruit 10 to 12 inches long, with several longitudinal angular ridges. 

 DR. ROXBURGH said of this vegetable-fruit : " Peeled, boiled, and 

 dressed with butter, pepper and salt, it is little inferior to green- 

 peas." Too much reliance must not, however, be placed upon 

 this statement. The plant is an annual and is grown somewhat 

 largely in Cotta and Dumbara for supplying the markets of 

 Colombo and Kandy respectively, the fruit being much used by 

 the Natives, both in curries and as a vegetable. The plant is 

 easily raised from seed, and does best on supports. 



Luffa aegyptiaca. Loofah; " Xiyan-vetakolu " S.\ "Pikku" 

 or " Pichukku " T. A large annual herbaceous climber with 

 angular stems, indigenous to the low-country and commonly grown 

 in native gardens. The fruit, which is cylindrical and from 8 to 

 12 inches long, is used when tender as a vegetable*. Propagated 

 by seed or cuttings. 



Momordica Charantia. Carilla Fruit ; "Karawila" S.\ "Pakal" 

 or " Pavakai " T. A rather slender vine, bearing an oval warty 

 fruit, 6 to 8 inches long, orange-yellow when ripe. The latter in 

 a tender state is much relished by the natives as a curry vegetable ; 

 it is also frequently pickled, being one of the most common 

 ingredients in Indian pickles. There is a variety with white fruits, 

 which render the plant very ornamental. Propagated by seed, 

 which should be sown at the commencement of the rains. The 

 plant may be allowed to trail on the ground, but is best on sup- 

 ports, especially during the wet season. 



Momordica dioica. " Tamba-karawila " S. "Tumpai" or 

 " Palupakkal" 7. A small oblong, green, warty-looking gourd, 

 about 2 to 3 inches long, commonly used and much esteemed by 

 the Natives as a curry vegetable, and is often sold in the boutiques 

 or bazaars. The tender shoots and leaves are also edible. The 

 plant is indigenous to Ceylon, being common in the dry districts. 

 It is not suited to elevations much above 2.000 feet. Propagated 

 by cuttings or seeds during the rains. 



Sicania odorifera. Melocoton, or Casabanana. A Mexican 

 gourd bearing stout Cucumber-like fruits, from 10 to 15 inches 

 long and about 3 inches in diameter. In the green and unripe 

 state these afford an excellent vegetable, and in a ripe state are 



