The scarlet gourds, Coccinia, is a genus with 25 species. It is distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and with one species also in South and South-east Asia, and it is also introduced into the New World. Incidentally, Coccinia grandis is a cultivated crop and it is used for culinary and medical purposes. Coccinia species are perennial climbing or creeping herbs. Climbing is supported by simple of unequally bifid tendrils. Most species develop a tuber from the hypocotyl, sometimes on roots. Coccinia species are dioecious, meaning that individual plants produce flowers with only male or only female organs.

Coccinia grandis, commonly known as Ivy Gourd, Scarlet Gourd, Tindora and Kowai Fruit, is a tropical vine grown for its edible young shoots and edible fruits. In traditional medicine, fruits have been used to treat leprosy, fever, asthma, bronchitis, and jaundice. Ivy gourd is rich in beta-carotene. In India, it is eaten as a curry, by deep-frying it along with spices, stuffing it with masala and sauteing it, or boiling it first in a pressure cooker and then frying it. It is also used in sambar, a vegetable and lentil-based soup. The immature fruit is also used raw, preserving its crisp texture, to make a quick fresh pickle.