In Asia, it is eaten immature as a vegetable much like the summer squash and in Africa, the reddish pulp of mature snake gourd is used as an economical substitute for tomato.

Trichosanthes cucumerina is found in the wild across much of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar(Burma) and southern China (Guangxi and Yunnan).

[9] Formerly, the cultivated form was considered a distinct species, T. anguina, but it is now generally regarded as conspecific with the wild populations, as they freely interbreed:[1] Trichosanthes cucumerina is a monoecious annual vine climbing by means of tendrils.

These hairs are curled up in the daytime when the flower is closed, but unfurl at night to form a delicate lacy display (see photos in gallery below).

[11] In the different regions of South Asia, it's quite common and is known by various names like: With some cultivars, the immature fruit has an unpleasant odor and a slightly bitter taste, both of which disappear in cooking.