Ampalaya is an annual herbaceous vine, climbing by means of its tendrils which measure about 20 centimeters in length. The leaves are heart-shaped at the base, 2.5 to 10 centimeters, and cut nearly to the base into five or seven variously toothed and divided lobes. The large flowers appear in the axils of the leaves on long stalks. They are yellow with petals about 3.5 to 4 centimeters long.
Some fruits of ampalaya are oblong, cylindrical, pointed at both ends and measure up to at least 25 centimeters in length. Other are rounded or short which measure from 5 to 10 centimeters long. All have wrinkled surfaces with broken ridges. From these fruits the seeds are taken for propagation.
Economic and Nutritive Values of Ampalaya
* The young fruits and leaves of ampalaya are extensively used as vegetable.
* The leaves are excellent sources of iron and calcium and a good source of phosphorus.
* The leaves are also high in carbohydrates and a good source of Vitamin B.
Medicinal Value of Ampalaya
* The leaf juice is used for cough, to kill parasites to heal wounds.
* Juice extracted from the green fruit is effective against colitis(the inflamation of the large intestine)and bacilliary dysentery.
* The whole plant can be prepared to treat diabetes, skin diseases, sterility in women and chronic ulcers of the stomach.
* The plant can be prepared to bring vomiting.
* The powder from roots, fruits and seeds can be used as an ingredient in a aphrodisiac preparation.
* The powdered roots, fruits and seeds can be applied externally to hemorrhoids because they have astringent properties, that is, they posses the quality to shrink tissues and prevent the secretion of fluids from wounds.
The fruits are ready to be harvest 12 to 14 days after the female flowers have fallen. The young leaves may be harvested anytime the vine has developed a luxuriant foliage.
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