Spatial arrangement of the fibres in developing and mature endocarp of Luffa cylindrica Roem.

Luffa cylindrica bears peculiar pepo-like fruits, which are characterised by a fibrous endocarp. Mature endocarps, so far utilised as a "vegetable sponge", are the object of studies for packing devices. By means of scanning, flluorescence and confocal microscopes, we investigated the arrangement and composition of the fibres in Luffa endocarps at different developmental stages in order to explain their functional properties.