Ronald Weinand, age 12, of Omaha, Neb., for his question:

CAN GOURDS BE USED AS FOOD?

The gourd is an ornamental, trailing or climbing plant. Most bear colorful fruit that can be used only as novelties and ornaments.

One type of gourd, called the luffa or dishcloth gourd, can be eaten when it is very young. As a mature growth, the inside of a dried dishcloth gourd makes a fine kitchen or bath sponge which smells sweet and clean.

In some countries, large gourds are dried and used to hold water and other liquids.

Gourds are closely related to squashes and pumpkins. they grow wild in America, Africa and the Pacific Islands. Leaves of the plants are large with pointed lobes. The flowers of most gourd plants are usually yellow.