Botany
Coarse vine reaching a length of several meters. Leaves are rounded, 10-40 cm wide, slightly hairy on both sides, 5-angled or lobed. Flowers, white, large, solitary. Petals are ovate, 3-4 cm long. Calyx is green, mottled gray or white, usually club-shaped or ovoid or depressed-globose, as thick as it is long.

Distribution
Cultivated throughout the Philippines.

Parts utilized
Pulp, fruit, shoots, leaves, seeds.

Chemical constituents and properties
Fruit is a good source of iron, calcium, and phosphorus, vitamin B.
Fruit is 6% sugar; the seeds contain a fixed oil and saponin.
Fruit considered cardiotonic, cardioprotective, diuretic, aphrodisiac, antidole.

Uses
Folkloric
Young shoots and leaves used for enema.
Pulp used as purgative adjunct; also used for coughs, asthma, and poison antidote.
Poultice of pulp applied to the head in delirium; to the soles for burning feet.
Oil from seed applied externally for headaches.
Seeds also used as antihelminthic.
Nutrition
A common table vegetable.
The dry shell of the fruit used for utensils, bowls, pipes, horns or musical instruments.
Pulp is common ingredient in many confections.

Studies
• Diuretic: Study of the juice extract and methanol extract of LS showed significantly significant diuretic potential, comparable to that of furosemide.
• Immunomodulatory: Study of the methanolic extracts of the fruit of LS showed significant dose-dependent delayed hypersensitivity reaction in rats with increase in white cell and lymphocyte count. Results suggest a promising immunomodulatory activity.
• Antihyperlipidemic: Study of fruit extract of L siceraria significantly reduced the total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and suggests a potential household remedy for hyperlipidemia.

Availability
Cultivated.