This odd brown thing is a luffa gourd.
Zack Snipes, ©2023, Clemson Extension
This odd brown thing is a luffa gourd. Contrary to popular belief, luffa is a plant in the cucurbit family and not a sea sponge. This plant is very vigorous and prolific and does extremely well in SC. When picked young, the tender fruit can be eaten much like a zucchini in a stir fry. If allowed to grow to maturity, the fruit will dry out and become brittle. The exterior can be peeled off, seeds shaken out, and then used as a sponge. Many folks use these as scrubbing pads for dishes or in the shower as exfoliating scrubbers. They are all-natural and are a great alternative to plastic counterparts.
