Bitter gourd is also known as cool-down gourd and belongs to the cucurbitaceae family, being a one-year-old climbing herb.The stem, branch, petiole, and peduncle are covered with soft hairs, with axillary tendrils.The leaf diameter reaches 3 to 12 centimeters, with 5 to 7 palmate deep splits, with elliptical lobes, marginally serrated.It flowers in spring and summer, monoecious, yellow.The fruit is long ellipsoidal, with numerous irregular warts on the surface.The seeds are hidden in the fleshy fruit, covered by a red capsule when ripe.Bitter gourd is a vegetable that people like, its place of origin is unclear, but it is generally believed to be native to tropical regions.It is widely cultivated in South Asia, Southeast Asia, China, and the Caribbean islands.
