Telfairia occidentalis

This article is about an African plant, known as of 27% crude proteins and 53% fats.[11] A study con-
the Ugu, among other names. ducted by the Federal Institute of Technology Akure in
West Africa that examined the chemical properties of
the fluted gourd, concluded that the leaves contain a high
Telfairia occidentalis is a tropical vine grown in West
amount of antioxidants, hepatoprotective and antimicro-
Africa as a leaf vegetable and for its edible seeds. Com-
bial properties.[12]
mon names for the plant include Fluted gourd, Fluted
pumpkin, and Ugu. Telfairia occidentalis is a member The young shoots and leaves of the female plant are the
of the curcurbitaceae family and is indigenous to southern main ingredients of a Nigerian soup, Ofe Egwusi. The
Nigera.[1] The fluted gourd grows in many nations of West large (up to 5 cm), dark-red seed is rich in fat and protein
Africa but is mainly cultivated in Nigeria, used primar- and can be eaten whole, ground into powder for another
ily in soups and herbal medicines.[2] Although the fruit is kind of soup, or made into a fermented porridge.
inedible, the seeds produced by the gourd are high protein
and fat, and can therefore contribute to a well-balanced
diet. The plant is a drought-tolerant, dioecious perennial 3 Growing Conditions/Methods
that is usually grown trellised.
Telfaira occidentalis is traditionally used by an estimated Telfairia occidentalis is typically grown vertically on
30 to 35 million people Indigenous people in Nigeria, trestle-like structures; however, it can be allowed to
including the Efik, Ibibio, and Urhobo;[3] However, it spread flat on a field.[13] A beneficial outcome of growing
was predominantly used by the Igbo tribe, who continue the gourd flat is the suppression of weeds, especially when
to cultivate the gourd for food sources and traditional intercropped with a tall, upright plant such as maize. The
medicines.[4] A recurring subject in the Igbo’s folklore, growing period begins in April or May when seeds are
the fluted gourd is noted to have healing properties and planted;[14] the first leaves and shoots can be harvested
was used as a blood tonic, to be administered to the weak after a month and can be collected every 2–4 weeks
or ill.[5] It is endemic to southern Nigera, and was an asset thereafter.[15] Seeds are planted directly in the soil, typ-
to international food trades of the Igbo tribe Akoroda.[6] ically in groups of three to increase output in a case of
a failed germination.[16] Fruit is typically harvested be-
tween October and December.[17] The seeds are subse-
1 Structure/psychology quently collected and dried; a portion of them are con-
sumed, while the remainder are stored for the following
planting season. Although dependent upon soil type, the
The fluted gourd fruit is quite large; one study document- fluted gourd is able to ratoon and subsequently produce
ing a range of 16-105 centimeters in length, and an aver- many flushes of fruit over long periods.[18] It is able to ra-
age of 9 centimetres in diameter.[7] The same study found toon with the highest degree of success in well-drained
the seed count in larger gourds to reach upwards of 196 soils.[19] It is propagated using the seeds. Its seed is
per fruit, typically measuring between 3.4 and 4.9 cen- housed in another greater covering or hard shell which
timeters in length.[8] In both the pistillate and staminate protects it from harm. It survives drought and can retain
varieties, Telfairia occidentalis flowers grow in sets of its life in the root even after many years. It is a creeping
five, with creamy-white and dark red petals, contrasting plant and grows well if staked with bamboo sticks.
with the light green colour of the fruit when young, and
yellow when ripe.[9] Dioecious flowering is most common
in the fluted gourd, with very few documented cases of
monoecious flowering
4 Storage
Although the seeds of Telfairia occidentalis store well,
precautions must be taken when storing any portion of
2 Nutritional content the plant; particularly if the gourd is to be stored whole.
This is not a typical storage method, as the fluted gourd
Considered an “oil seed”, the fluted gourd is high in oil pod (the fruit itself) is highly perishable, and can only be
(30%).[10] Shoots of Telfairia occidentalis contain high stored up to 4 weeks.[20] If the gourd is left intact and
levels of potassium and iron, while seeds are composed proper storage and shipping are not practiced, pod rot

1
2 8 REFERENCES

can manifest, even from small lesions, and cause serious flowers after female plants stop producing flowers.[35]
damage to the entire fruit; rendering it unusable.[21] Fur- The fruit of the plant is large, and can weigh up to 13
thermore, care must be taken when storing the leaves of kilograms (29 lb), and is inedible.
Telfairia occidentalis, which rapidly lose nutritional and
water content when stored improperly.[22] These loses
can be reduced by storing harvested leaves in sealed, 8 References
polyethylene bags, as well as at lower temperatures (2-
4˚C).[23] [1] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor.
5 Pests/pathogens [2] Nwanna, Esther Emem, et al. “Antioxidant and Hep-
atoprotective Properties of Telfairia occidentalis Leaf
A major concern of buyers and sellers of fluted gourd is (Fluted Pumpkin).” Thesis and Dissertations (Biochem-
pod rot. Infection occurs most frequently during trans- istry) (2008): n. pag. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://
port, although it can also arise before the plant is har- dspace.futa.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/587>
vested, starting as a small lesion that creates an avenue [3] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
for pathogens to penetrate the fruit.[24] It is most com- talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
mon for the affected area to appear brown in colour, indi- Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
cating a contamination of R.Stolonifer or Erwina. How- subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.
ever, the infected area may also appear black (indicating
[4] Okoli, Bosa E., and C. M. Mgbeogu. “Fluted Pump-
the presence of A. Niger) or grey (B. theobromae).[25] kin, Telfairia occidentalis: West African Vegetable
Other symptoms associated with the presence of these Crop.” School of Biological Sciences, University of Port-
pathogens include; softening of the pod tissue accompa- Harcourt 37.2 (1983): 145-49. Springer.
nied by a pungent odour, or watery fluid in the fruit.[26]
To decrease instances of pod rot, damage to fruit during [5] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
harvest and transport should be avoided Emebiri L. and
Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
Nwufo, M.,. “Pod Rots of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia Oc-
subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.
cidentalis Hook. F.) in Imo State, Nigeria.” International
Biodeterioration (26)1. (1990): 63-68. . [6] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.
6 Uses
[7] Okoli, Bosa E., and C. M. Mgbeogu. “Fluted Pump-
kin, Telfairia occidentalis: West African Vegetable
The edible seeds of Telfairia occidentalis can be boiled
Crop.” School of Biological Sciences, University of Port-
and eaten whole, or fermented and added to “ogili.”.[27] Harcourt 37.2 (1983): 145-49. Springer.
The fluted gourd has been traditionally utilized by Indige-
nous tribes as a blood tonic, likely due to its high pro- [8] Okoli, Bosa E., and C. M. Mgbeogu. “Fluted Pump-
tein content.[28] Flour produced by the seeds can be used kin, Telfairia occidentalis: West African Vegetable
for high-protein breads, although more research is needed Crop.” School of Biological Sciences, University of Port-
to fulfill this potential food source.[29] Furthermore, the Harcourt 37.2 (1983): 145-49. Springer.
shoots and leaves can be consumed as vegetables.[30] [9] Okoli, Bosa E., and C. M. Mgbeogu. “Fluted Pump-
kin, Telfairia occidentalis: West African Vegetable
Crop.” School of Biological Sciences, University of Port-
7 Practical Information Harcourt 37.2 (1983): 145-49. Springer.
[10] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
The roots of Telfairia occidentalis are locally known to talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
be a potent poison to humans and should therefore not Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
[31] subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.
be consumed. However, the seeds of the fluted gourd
are very high in oils, and have potential to become a [11] Aiyelaagbe, I.O.O, and A.A Kintomo. “Nitrogen Re-
staple, high-protein oil food source in Nigera.[32] One sponse of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook.
study conducted to investigate levels of protein pre and F) Grown Sole or Intercropped with Banana.” Nutrient
post-germination, found that germination significantly in- Cycling in Agroecosystems 64 (2002): 231-35.
creased albumin and globulin protein factors, which has [12] Nwanna, Esther Emem, et al. “Antioxidant and Hep-
been shown to increase levels of lysine in a plant.[33] This atoprotective Properties of Telfairia occidentalis Leaf
is useful knowledge as the fluted gourd has reportedly low (Fluted Pumpkin).” Thesis and Dissertations (Biochem-
levels of lysine.[34] Furthermore, male plants mature on istry) (2008): n. pag. <http://dspace.futa.edu.ng:8080/
average 11 days before females, and continue to produce jspui/handle/123456789/587>
 3

[13] Okoli, Bosa E., and C. M. Mgbeogu. “Fluted Pump- [28] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
kin, Telfairia occidentalis: West African Vegetable talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
Crop.” School of Biological Sciences, University of Port- Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
Harcourt 37.2 (1983): 145-49. Springer. subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.

[14] Emebiri L. and Nwufo, M.,. “Pod Rots of Fluted Pump-
kin (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F.) in Imo State, Nige-
ria.” International Biodeterioration (26)1. (1990): 63-68.
[15] Okoli, Bosa E., and C. M. Mgbeogu. “Fluted Pump-
kin, Telfairia occidentalis: West African Vegetable
Crop.” School of Biological Sciences, University of Port-
Harcourt 37.2 (1983): 145-49. Springer.
[16] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.
[17] Emebiri L. and Nwufo, M.,. “Pod Rots of Fluted Pump-
kin (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F.) in Imo State, Nige-
ria.” International Biodeterioration (26)1. (1990): 63-68.
[18] Aiyelaagbe, I.O.O, and A.A Kintomo. “Nitrogen Re-
sponse of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook.
F) Grown Sole or Intercropped with Banana.” Nutrient
Cycling in Agroecosystems 64 (2002): 231-35.
[19] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.
[20] Emebiri L. and Nwufo, M.,. “Pod Rots of Fluted Pump-
kin (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F.) in Imo State, Nige-
ria.” International Biodeterioration (26)1. (1990): 63-68.
[29] Giami, Sunday Y. “Effect of Germination on Bread-
Making Properties of Wheat-Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia
occidentalis) Seed Four Blends.” Plant Foods for Human
Nutrition 58 (2003): 1-9.
[30] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.
[31] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.
[32] “Nutritional Evaluation of Germinated Futed Pumpkin
(Telfairia occidentalis Hook) Seeds.” Plant Foods for Hu-
man Nutrition 58 (2003): 1-9.
[33] “Nutritional Evaluation of Germinated Futed Pumpkin
(Telfairia occidentalis Hook) Seeds.” Plant Foods for Hu-
man Nutrition 58 (2003): 1-9.
[34] “Nutritional Evaluation of Germinated Futed Pumpkin
(Telfairia occidentalis Hook) Seeds.” Plant Foods for Hu-
man Nutrition 58 (2003): 1-9.
[35] Akoroda, M. O. “Ethnobotany of Telfairia occiden-
talis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigera.” Economic
Botany (1990): 29-39. Jstor. <http://www.jstor.org.
subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/4255209?seq=1>.

[21] Emebiri L. and Nwufo, M.,. “Pod Rots of Fluted Pump-

kin (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F.) in Imo State, Nige- 9 External links
ria.” International Biodeterioration (26)1. (1990): 63-68.
• Minor oil crops at the FAO
[22] Nwufo, M. I. “Effects of Water Stress on the Post-harvest
Quality of Two Leafy Vegetables, (Telfairia occidentalis)
and - Storage Pterocarpus Soyauxii during Storage.” J Sci
Food Agric 64 (1994): 265-69.

[23] Nwufo, M. I. “Effects of Water Stress on the Post-harvest

Quality of Two Leafy Vegetables, Telfairia occidentalis
and - Storage Pterocarpus Soyauxii during Storage.” J Sci
Food Agric 64 (1994): 265-69.

[24] Emebiri L. and Nwufo, M.,. “Pod Rots of Fluted Pump-

kin (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F.) in Imo State, Nige-
ria.” International Biodeterioration (26)1. (1990): 63-68.

[25] Emebiri L. and Nwufo, M.,. “Pod Rots of Fluted Pump-

kin (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F.) in Imo State, Nige-
ria.” International Biodeterioration (26)1. (1990): 63-68.

[26] Emebiri L. and Nwufo, M.,. “Pod Rots of Fluted Pump-

kin (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F.) in Imo State, Nige-
ria.” International Biodeterioration (26)1. (1990): 63-68.

[27] Badifu, Gabriel I.O. “Food Potentials of Some Unconven-

tional Oilseeds Grown in Nigeria - a Brief Review.” Plant
Foods for Human Nutrition 43.3 (1993): 211-24
4 10 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

10 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

10.1 Text
• Telfairia occidentalis Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telfairia_occidentalis?oldid=613443581 Contributors: Eugene van der Pijll,
Alensha, Klemen Kocjancic, Wouterstomp, Pekinensis, SDC, Eubot, Gdrbot, Bgwhite, Gaius Cornelius, Crystallina, Melchoir, Oatmeal
batman, Syrcatbot, Picaroon, Hydro, Colchicum, France3470, Addbot, Yobot, AnomieBOT, LilHelpa, Hamamelis, Crusoe8181, Franky-
wright, Puffin, Chip123456, St bright, Logopolis258 and Anonymous: 9

10.2 Images
• File:Telfairia_occidentalis.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Telfairia_occidentalis.jpg License: Pub-
lic domain Contributors: Curtis’s botanical magazine vol. 103 ser. 3 nr. 33 tab. 6272 (http://www.botanicus.org/page/464821 ) Original
artist: Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911)
• File:Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Text_document_
with_red_question_mark.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Created by bdesham with Inkscape; based upon Text-x-generic.svg
from the Tango project. Original artist: Benjamin D. Esham (bdesham)

10.3 Content license

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