Japanese snake gourd
A vine plant (Trichosanthes pilosa) native to East Asia, known for its bright red fruits and night-blooming white flowers. Often found in thickets and forest edges.
In autumn, the fruits of the Japanese snake gourd turn red.
The flowers of the Japanese snake gourd start blooming in the evening.
Katakana spelling is common and matches usual-kana usage.
Kanji form is rare; the plant is almost always written in kana.
Hiragana spelling; also acceptable and often used in botanical contexts.
The name カラスウリ (karasuuri) literally means 'crow gourd', but the exact origin is uncertain. It may refer to the dark seeds or the fact that crows eat the fruit.