Luffa
Sign in to saveLuffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the pumpkin, squash and gourd family (Cucurbitaceae).
AI overview
Luffa is a type of tropical vine that belongs to the same plant family as pumpkins, squashes, and gourds. It matters because luffa plants produce gourds that are commonly dried and used as natural sponges for bathing and cleaning.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Taxonomy · GBIF
GENUS
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumTracheophyta
- ClassMagnoliopsida
- OrderCucurbitales
- FamilyCucurbitaceae
via GBIF · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Image
- Luffa operculata 07.JPG
Show 2 more facts
- P105
- genus
- P910
- Category:Luffa
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Article
16 sectionsContents
- Names
- Uses
- Fibers
- Food
- Indian subcontinent
- Other Asian cuisines
- Western cuisines
- Other uses
- Role in food chain
- Mechanical properties
- Fiber-bundles
- Bulk-sponge
- Dynamic loading
- Gallery
- References
- External links
Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the pumpkin, squash and gourd family (Cucurbitaceae).
In everyday non-technical usage, the luffa, also spelled loofah or less frequently loofa, usually refers to the fruits of the species Luffa aegyptiaca and Luffa acutangula. It is cultivated and eaten as a vegetable, but must be harvested at a young stage of development to be edible. The vegetable is popular in India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam. When the fruit fully ripens, it becomes too fibrous for eating. The fully developed fruit is the source of the loofah scrubbing sponge. In October 2025, the world record for the heaviest luffa was broken at the NC State Fair. The luffa, grown in Graham, NC weighed 11 lb 3.3 oz (5.08 kg).