Momordica charantia
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Photo: Bart Wursten
Yaekela
Photo: Bart Wursten
Yaekela
Photo: Bart Wursten
Yaekela
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| Synonyms: | |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Perennial climber with prostrate or scandent stems up to 5 m long. Tendrils simple. Leaves up to 10 × 12.5 cm, broadly ovate to almost circular in outline, deeply 3-7 lobed, cordate at the base; ultimate margin with sinuate or lobe-like teeth. Flowers unisexual on the same plant, solitary, pale to deep yellow; male flowers larger than female flowers. Fruit ovoid with a conspicuous beak, up to 10 × 4 cm, usually smaller, tuberculate and ridged, orange-red when ripe; dehiscent into 3 valves. |
| Type location: |
a cultivated plant |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | |
| Habitat: | In riverine fringes, along lake margins but also in old cultivation and disturbed areas. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Pantropical. Probably introduced in the Neotropics. |
| Botanical divisions: | |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Tuesday 13 May 2025 |
| Literature: |
Jeffrey, C. (1978). Cucurbitaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 422 - 423. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 38. Reekmans, M. (1983). Cucurbitaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume II Pages 462 - 463. (Includes a picture). |
Other sources of information about Momordica charantia:
Our websites:
Flora of Burundi: Momordica charantiaFlora of Malawi: Momordica charantia
Flora of Mozambique: Momordica charantia
Flora of Rwanda: Momordica charantia
Flora of Zambia: Momordica charantia
Flora of Zimbabwe: Momordica charantia
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Momordica charantiaAfrican Plant Database: Momordica charantia
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Momordica charantia
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Momordica charantia
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Momordica charantia
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Momordica charantia
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Momordica charantia
JSTOR Plant Science: Momordica charantia
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Momordica charantia
Plants of the World Online: Momordica charantia
Tropicos: Momordica charantia
Wikipedia: Momordica charantia