Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Cucurbitales
Genus:
Species:
rufa
ID:
362215

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Gilg) C.Jeffrey

Source:
cmp

Year:
1962

Citation Micro:
Kew Bull. 15: 355 (1961 publ. 1962)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000361547

Common Names

  • Red Bottle Gourd
  • Rufa Lagenaria
  • Red Calabash

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Synonyms

  • Adenopus rufus Gilg [unknown]

Description

Lagenaria rufa (also called Red Bottle Gourd, among many other common names) is an annual herbaceous plant native to Africa. It has a basal rosette of leaves and small white flowers. It grows in grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas.

Uses & Benefits

Lagenaria rufa is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes. It is also used for medicinal purposes, such as treating fever, headaches, and digestive issues.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flowers of Lagenaria rufa are small, white and bell-shaped. The seeds are round, black and about 1 cm in diameter. The seedlings are small, green and have two cotyledons.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Lagenaria rufa is a shrub that can be propagated from seed or cuttings. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It can be grown in containers or in the ground. When planting in the ground, space plants at least 3 feet apart. Water regularly and fertilize in the spring and summer months.

Where to Find Lagenaria rufa

Lagenaria rufa is native to West Africa and can be found in the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Lagenaria rufa FAQ

What is the scientific name of Lagenaria rufa?

Lagenaria rufa

What is the common name of Lagenaria rufa?

Red Bottle Gourd

What is the natural habitat of Lagenaria rufa?

Grasslands and open woodlands

Species in the Cucurbitaceae family

Abobra tenuifolia, Acanthosicyos horridus, Actinostemma lobatum, Actinostemma parvifolium, Actinostemma tenerum, Alsomitra macrocarpa, Ampelosicyos humblotii, Ampelosicyos major, Ampelosicyos meridionalis, Ampelosicyos scandens, Ampelosicyos bosseri, Ampelosicyos leandrii, Ampelosycios meridionalis, Ampelosycios scandens, Apodanthera anatuyana, Apodanthera argentea, Apodanthera aspera, Apodanthera biflora, Apodanthera bradei, Apodanthera cinerea, Apodanthera eriocalyx, Apodanthera fasciculata, Apodanthera ferreyrana, Apodanthera glaziovii, Apodanthera hindii, Apodanthera hirtella, Apodanthera laciniosa, Apodanthera linearis, Apodanthera mandonii, Apodanthera mathewsii, Apodanthera palmeri, Apodanthera sagittifolia, Apodanthera smilacifolia, Apodanthera succulenta, Apodanthera tumbeziana, Apodanthera ulei, Apodanthera undulata, Apodanthera villosa, Apodanthera weberbaueri, Apodanthera longipedicellata, Austrobryonia argillicola, Austrobryonia centralis, Austrobryonia micrantha, Austrobryonia pilbarensis, Baijiania borneensis, Baijiania taiwaniana, Baijiania decipiens, Baijiania smitinandii, Bambekea racemosa, Bayabusua clarkei,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-2342948: Based on the initial data import
Charles Jeffrey (b.1934): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'C.Jeffrey' in the authors string.
Ernst Friedrich Gilg (1867-1933): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Gilg' in the authors string.