By Sarah Fiorello

green bottle gourd on the vine

Lagenaria siceraria

The bottle gourd was domesticated thousands of years ago by farmers in West Africa where it remains an iconic cultural symbol representing the earthly and spiritual realms. It was grown and used by enslaved Africans as vessels for food and water, made into musical instruments, and used in spiritual ceremonies. The unripe seeds have been brewed into a tea for relieving kidney and urinary tract inflammation and rheumatism.

Varieties in this display:

Lagenaria siceraria ‘Birdhouse Gourd’
Lagenaria siceraria ‘African Drum Gourd’
Lagenaria siceraria ‘Speckled swan Large’

Listen to learn more: Access a short narrative here.

Explore More

Fish Pepper

Capsicum annuum ‘Fish Pepper’

African Bird’s-eye pepper

Capsicum frutescens ‘African Bird’s Eye’

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus