Caigua or achojcha is widely used in the highlands of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. This annual climber has also been grown for quite some time in mountainous habitats in Bhutan, Nepal and North-Eastern India, for subsistence and commercial uses. The fruit has a large cavity that can be easily stuffed, hence it is also called “pepino de rellenar” in South America.

Cyclanthera pedata: from the Andes to the Himalayas

Fruits of Cyclanthera pedata (Cucurbitaceae) in Bhutan

Cross section of the fruits of Cyclanthera pedata (Cucurbitaceae)

Seeds of Cyclanthera pedata (Cucurbitaceae)