Chayote (Sechium edule)

Labu siam or jipang or mirliton squash or chayote (Sechium edule) is a plant species in Cucurbitaceae, growing vines and generally upwards, widely planted as food and a source of vitamin C where fresh fruit for salads or lightly cooked to remove sap.

S. edule grows on the ground or climbs large trees up to 12 m high, stems are green, not woody and are usually cultivated anywhere as long as they have support. The ends of the stems are threaded to reach support or link themselves.

The leaves are oval, 10-25 cm wide, have many angles as the bones depend on variety and the surface has hair. Male flowers in groups and solitary female flowers, yellowish green, four or five petals and pistils in the middle.

The fruit hangs on the stem, is irregular in egg shape, slightly flattened and has rough wrinkles, 10-20 cm long, green or yellow, has a thin skin, white insides with a single hole, large and flat. Some varieties have thorny skin.

The fruit is boiled briefly to remove sap and eaten for a variety of dishes. Young leaves, roots, stems and seeds are also eaten. Bulbs are eaten like potatoes. Leaves and fruit for diuretics, cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory, hypertension and dissolving kidney stones.

A portion of 100g contains 19 kcal, 0.1g fat, 2mg sodium, 125mg potassium, 17mg calcium, 12mg magnesium, 7.7mg vitamin C, 4.5g carbohydrates, 0.8g protein, 0.3mg iron, and 0.1mg vitamin B6.

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Sechium
Species: S. edule
Subspesies: Sechium edule edule, Sechium edule sylvestre

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