Momordica charantia
charantia
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Photo: Bart Wursten
Yaekela
Photo: Bart Wursten
Yaekela
Photo: Bart Wursten
Yaekela
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| Synonyms: |
Cucumis argyi H.Lév. Cucumis intermedius M.Roem. Momordica anthelmintica Schumach. & Thonn. Momordica chinensis Anon. Momordica cylindrica Blanco Momordica elegans Salisb. Momordica humilis Wall. Momordica indica L. Momordica jagorana K.Koch Momordica martinicensis Hook. Momordica muricata Willd. Momordica papillosa Peckolt ex Rosenthal Momordica roxburghiana G.Don Momordica senegalensis Lam. Momordica sinensis Anon. Momordica thollonii Cogn. Momordica zeylanica Mill. Sicyos fauriei H.Lév. |
| 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: | Subsp. macroloba is restricted to Togo and Benin. |
| 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: | I,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,XI |
| Growth form(s): | Climber. |
| 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. Keraudren-Aymonin, M. (1975). Cucurbitaceae Flore d'Afrique Centrale Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Bruxelles Pages 38 - 41. (Includes a picture). 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 subsp. charantia:
Our websites:
Flora of Burundi: Momordica charantia subsp. charantiaFlora of Malawi: Momordica charantia subsp. charantia
Flora of Mozambique: Momordica charantia subsp. charantia
Flora of Rwanda: Momordica charantia subsp. charantia
Flora of Zambia: Momordica charantia subsp. charantia
Flora of Zimbabwe: Momordica charantia subsp. 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