Telfairia

Telfairia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae (the gourd family). It consists of three species of vines native to Africa and Madagascar. The most well-known species is Telfairia occidentalis, commonly known as fluted gourd or fluted pumpkin, which is an important leafy vegetable in West Africa.

The plants in the Telfairia genus are characterized by their climbing habit, large leaves, and tendrils, which enable them to climb and spread. They produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant (monoecious), and the fruit is a large, fleshy gourd containing numerous seeds. The seeds of Telfairia occidentalis are also edible and are a source of protein and oil.

The other two species in the genus are Telfairia pedata and Telfairia batesii. Telfairia pedata is found in Madagascar, while Telfairia batesii is found in Central Africa. These species are less well-known than Telfairia occidentalis and are not as widely cultivated.

The genus is named after Charles Telfair, an Irish botanist.