In a message dated 3/3/00 11:17:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, TerryD at Health.State.OK.US writes: << Pardon Ras, but you have a terminology error. Gourds are members of the family Cucurbitaceae. They are not part of the genus Cucurbita. >> Yes, that is what I meant. Also, loofas are very edible when young. Very good in fact. Ras