Lythraceae and Cucurbitaceae- Introduction

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Lytheraceae
(Loosestrife family)

Punica


A family of about25 genera and 550 species, Lythraceae are cosmopolitan in distribution. About 12 genera and over  50 species have been reported from India. 
Some of the larger genera with their approximate reported species are: 
    • Cuphea (250), 
    • Lagerstroemia (43) and 
    • Lythrum (35). 
Selected Indian genera are: 
    • Lawsonia, 
    • Punica, 
    • Lagerstroemia and 
    • Woodfordia.

Economic Importance
    • Lawsonia inermis (Mehndi or henna plant) leaves are the source of dye, henna, used for staining fingers, nails, hair and also wool, silk and leather. Leaves and flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa are also used for tanning and dyeing silk.
    • Punica granatum (pomegranate), a small tree is cultivated for its edible juicy fruits.
    • Timber for making boats and other similar articles is obtained from Lagerstroemia speciosa, L. indica, L. lanceolata, etc.
    • Ornamental plants of Lytheraceae include:
    • Cuphea lanceolata (red flowered), 
    • C. ignea (cigar-flower), 
    • Punica granatum, 
    • Lawsonia inermis (hedge plant), 
    • Lagerstroemia indica (pinkish flowers), 
    • L. speciosa (purple flowers) and 
    • several species of Lythrum.




Cucurbitaceae
(Gourd family)

Luffa


Cucurbitaceae are generally annual or perennial climbing or prostrate herbs or vines usually with spirally coiled tendrils. It is a family of about 110 genera and between 650 to 850 species. It is distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. About 37 genera and 100 species have been reported from India. 
Selected Indian genera are- 
    • Citrulus, 
    • Coccinia, 
    • Cucurbita, 
    • Lagenaria, 
    • Luffa, 
    • Momordica and 
    • Trichosanthes.

Economic Importance

Edible fruits and vegetables:

 

Cucurbitaceae is a family of several edible fruits which are either cooked or eaten raw in our daily food. Some of them include-
    1. Benincasa hispida (white gourd),
    2. Citrullus vulgaris (watermelon),
    3. C. vulgaris var. fistulosus (Round gourd or tinda),
    4. Coccinia cordifolia (korai fruit),
    5. Cucumis anguria (gherkin),
    6. C. melo (melon or kharbuja),
    7. C. melo var. momordica (phoont),
    8. C. melo var. utilissimus (kakdi),
    9. C. sativus (cucumber),
    10. Cucurbita maxima (red pumpkin),
    11. C. moschata (pumpkin),
    12. C. pepo (field pumpkin),
    13. Lagenaria siceraria syn. L. vulgaris (bottle gourd),
    14. Luffa acutangula (kali tori),
    15. l. cylindrica syn. L. aegyptiaca (Ghia tori),
    16. Momordica charmanta (Bitter gourd),
    17. M. cochinchinensis (Kakrol),
    18. Trichosanthes anguina (snake gourd), and
    19. T. dioica (parwal).
Ornamental plants: 
Some species of Benincasa, Coccinia, Echallium, Luffa, Sechium and Trichosanthes are of ornamental value.

Some Luffa species provide sponges for oil filters and bathing.

Musical instruments and some decorative articles are prepared from fruits of Lagenaria and Benincasa.

Seeds of Citrullus vulgaris and Cucumis melo are highly nutritious and used in preparing sweets.




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