The bottle gourd is a vigorous, annual, running, or climbing vine characterized by large leaves and a lush appearance. It has a rapid growth rate and may start flowering as early as two months after seeding. The thick stem is furrowed longitudinally, and the vine branches out, climbing by using tendrils along the stem. This plant is cultivated for its elongated, bottle-shaped gourds that are commonly used as vegetables in various culinary dishes.