Chayote (scientific name: Sicyos edulis) is a plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), also known as vegetable pear, hand melon, Buddha's hand, flying man's gourd, fist gourd, and pear gourd. It is originally native to Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, and was introduced to China in 1915, where it is cultivated primarily in the Jiangnan region, with the most production in Yunnan, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong. It was introduced to Taiwan for cultivation in 1935 from Japan. Its vine tips are known as dragon beard vegetable.