Pointed gourd, parwal in Hindi and potol in Bengali, is a small, striped, green gourd that is a staple summer and monsoon vegetable in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and Assam. It is grown on sandy riverbank land, and male and female flowers grow on separate vines. Bengal makes potoler dolma, stuffed pointed gourd, and Bihar parwal ki mithai, a sweet of hollowed parwal filled with khoya.
- Botanical name
- Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Tamil
- Kombu peerkangai
- Hindi
- Parwal
- Parts used
- Fruit, Tender shoot in some kitchens
- Habit
- Pointed gourd, a monsoon vegetable; male and female plants are separate
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Parwal
It is a perennial climbing vine with tendrils and a woody rootstock.
The leaves are heart-shaped, rough and dark green, with wavy or toothed edges.
The white flowers have five petals fringed with long, delicate threads, and open in the evening.
The fruits are oblong, pointed at both ends, five to fifteen centimetres long, green with pale stripes.
Snake gourd, a relative, has fruits up to a metre long.
Traditional use of Parwal
Kitchen
Potoler dolma, pointed gourd stuffed with fish or paneer, and aloo potol curry are Bengali favourites.
Bengali food practice
Kitchen
In Bihar parwal ki mithai is made by blanching hollowed parwal in syrup and filling it with sweetened khoya.
Bihari food practice
Ayurveda
Patola leaves and fruit appear in Ayurvedic formulas as a bitter digestive.
Ayurvedic practice
Modern notes on Parwal
The fruit is low in calories and supplies fibre and vitamin C.
Growers propagate it from vine cuttings or root pieces, with about one male plant to ten female plants.
Riverine sandbanks, called diara lands, along the Ganga are a major growing area.
Parwal safety
Pointed gourd is a safe vegetable when cooked. Discard any fruit that tastes strongly bitter, as with all gourds.
Ecology and sourcing
It is native to the Indian subcontinent.
Hawkmoths and other night insects visit the fringed evening flowers.
It needs warm weather and well-drained sandy soil.
Related plants
Also in Cucurbitaceae
Questions about Parwal
What is parwal?
The Hindi name for pointed gourd.
Why does Parwal need male plants?
Male and female flowers are on separate vines.
What is potoler dolma?
Stuffed pointed gourd, a Bengali dish.
Is Parwal the same as snake gourd?
No. Snake gourd is a longer relative.
When is Parwal in season?
Summer and the monsoon.
Sources
- Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q2724295 (Trichosanthes dioica)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.