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. Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 91. 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