Plants

The fruit measures 250 x 100 mm, is striated or smooth, and resembles an overgrown cucumber. It is c ...

They are extremely rare in the wild, thanks to the destruction of their habitat and peculiar growing requirements, so removing one from its habitat is strictly prohibited.

It is, however, crucial to remember their creeping root system, which requires large containers.

It consists of two white fleshy halves. When exposed to air, the white kernel turns purple, then dark gray, and eventually brown or black.

The main active substance is alliin, which is broken down by the enzyme alliinase to allicin. Other metabolites are ajoenes, which include: platelet aggregation inhibitors (anticoagulant).

It is due to a chemical called pyrrolizidine alkaloid, which causes liver damage.