Bitter gourd.

Hulu co bitter melon is a year-long climbing herb. Also known as a cold melon. Young fruits are edible and are known for their bitter taste. Originally from tropical Asia, it is widely distributed in subtropical, tropical and tempere regions. In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, China was listed as one of the waste-saving plants, which were not widely cultivated at that time. To the middle and late Ming Dynasty only more for southerners to eat, still cultivated in southern China more. The root system is developed, the stem cranberry is, the easy side cranberry, with the curly beard. The palm of the leaf is deep and cracked, smooth and hairless. Flower mono sex, male and female same plant, monotony, flower crown yellow. Berries, spindles, short cones, or long cones, glossy surfaces, and covered with strips and tumor-like protrusions. Bitter taste because the fruit contains a glycoside. General fruit color strong varieties of bitter taste is heavy. Each fruit contains 20 to 30 seeds. Seed shield, yellow-brown, thick skin, surface engraved. A thousand grains weigh 150 to 180 grams.

bitter melon, more heat-resistant, frost-resistant. The growth temperature is 20 to 30 degrees C, but the normal growth and flowering results can be made at high temperatures. It is also more resistant to flooding. It is a short-term plant, but most varieties are not strict about the length of the sun. Happy light, flowering results period especially need strong light. China's Yangtze River basin is one year long, and spring, summer and autumn can be cultivated in southern China. Live or nursery planting. Acres planted about 2000 to 3000 plants. Stems grow vigorously, mainly side cranberns results, the result is strong, mostly
stent
cultivation. Due to flowering results and stem growth at the same time, nutrition needs more. The flowering period should prevent melon flies and frosty mold. Generally after 12 to 15 days after the flower harvest, too late the fruit cracked, revealing bright red fruit, taste from bitter to sweet. Seeds are not exposed to the sun, germination age is only 1 to 2 years.

bitter melon root can be used in Chinese medicine. The tender fruit is
vitamin
C and contains about 56 to 84 mg per 100 grams of fresh weight.
slice
and stir-fry after squeezing out the juice to reduce the bitter taste.