Their Amazing Blossoms Are Gone, But The Fruit Of the KARASU-URI (烏瓜) Have Started To Glow Deep Orange (again)
Karasu Uri (snake gourd) in Konda, Tsukuba (2010)
It seems like only yesterday ( though in fact it was way back in August) that we were admiring their intricately lacy white blossoms which bloom only at night. And though now these astonishing KARASU-URI (snake gourd) FLOWERS have sadly withered away, the fruits which have replaced them on their vines are now taking on a deep orange hue, giving Tsukuba ( and Japan) one of its iconic symbols of autumn.
Naturally much easier to spot than the flowers ( which only opened up in the dark ! ), the little oval shaped gourds are first green ( like little watermelons) but then stand out brightly, in orange, as they dangle at the edge of thickets and woods.
Karasu Uri by the side of the road in Higashioka, Tsukuba (2010)
Though they do look temptingly delicious, these fruits are NOT edible. Inside they are nearly hollow , but they contain seeds which are bound together by a gooey liquid. This has been used traditionally for treating cracked and chapped skin, chillblains and other skin problems ( I actually tried it on a rash and it worked! I just broke open one of the gourds and applied the goo!)
The gourds, as I have already mentioned, grow on a vine . It can be fun to tug on one of these vines when you see one of the dangling fruits and see how many of the little gourds are attached. It can be surprising how long the vines are and the complex paths they take. Its also amusing to see all the little egg-like fruits come dancing out from unexpected places as you keep pulling.
karasu uri which have apparently been partially eaten by some creature
The name karasu uri (烏瓜), when directly translated means crow gourd. No one is exactly certain as to why this fruit is thus called. Of course many people assume that it is because crows eat them, and from the picture below you can see that SOME creatures do in fact eat them ( or pick at them at least). My interpretation of the name`s origin is slightly different. I feel that it implies something FOR THE BIRDS- in other words,of no use to humans, and which can be left to our fine feathered friends.
You might also see these fruit as part of seasonal decorations or flower arrangements.
Partially eaten karasu uri in Higashi Oka, Tsukuba
Read about the karasu uri plants AMAZING nocturnal flowers here:
The flower of the karasu uri plant, taken just around midnight with my cell-phone camera. in Konda, Tsukuba (August 2010)
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October 23rd, 2010 - 18:49
Yes! As Avi-san mentioned color of Karasuuri is very beautiful green or orange,so I have picked green one and orange one and set them in a plate as my style of decolation. Seeing it I felt very Autumuny-hearted. They remind me one of my bird-friends,an female Karasu,she always cries she got seven very cute baby crows. She is very famous in Japan.