A plant species from the genus Luffa (Luffa) of the Pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae). An annual liana 3-6 m long with five-sided stems rough on the ribs, clinging to the support with the help of branched (usually three-part) antennae.
The leaves are 15-25 cm in circumference, palmately five-lobed, on petioles up to 12 cm long. The flowers are bisexual, with five bright yellow petals. Staminate flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences of 15-20 flowers, pistillate - single, located in the axils of the same leaf as the staminate.
The fruits are cylindrical or club-shaped, up to 50 cm long (sometimes more), 6-10 cm in diameter, smooth, without ribs.
The fruits are used in the same way as the fruits of the sharp-ribbed luff. Young fruits are eaten raw, boiled or stewed, added to various dishes, canned. A sponge made of intertwined conductive bundles formed in dried ripe fruits is used to make washcloths, filters, insulation materials, mats, hats and other similar products.