Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s2.t5.1

v1.c5.s2.t5.1

Trapusa is a species of cucurbitaceous plant, also known as teasel gourd, cucumber or trichosanthes cucumeroides. Its scientific name in Latin is *Cucumis sativus*. Its country of origin is India. The history of the cultivation of trapusa is very ancient, with many varieties. It could be divided, in light of its ecological features into big trapusa, small trapusa, fruit trapusa, quadri-leaf trapusa and hothouse trapusa. Since its introduction to different regions of China, it has become a common vegetable on the household menu.