Momordica charantia L.

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Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala, Mozambique

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala, Mozambique

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala, Mozambique

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala, Mozambique

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala, Mozambique

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala, Mozambique

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala, Mozambique

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala, Mozambique

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Near Casa Banana, Sofala.

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Road to Mueredzi, Gorongosa National Park, Muanza

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Road to Mueredzi, Gorongosa National Park, Muanza

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Road to Mueredzi, Gorongosa National Park, Muanza

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Road to Mueredzi, Gorongosa National Park, Muanza

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Along road road from Chitengo to Punwe River, Gorongosa National Park

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Along road road from Chitengo to Punwe River, Gorongosa National Park

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Along road road from Chitengo to Punwe River, Gorongosa National Park

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Along road road from Chitengo to Punwe River, Gorongosa National Park

Momordica charantia

Photo: Mark Hyde
Nr Diagnostic Imaging Centre, East Road, Harare

Momordica charantia

Photo: Mark Hyde
Nr Diagnostic Imaging Centre, East Road, Harare

Momordica charantia

Photo: Mark Hyde
Nr Diagnostic Imaging Centre, East Road, Harare

Momordica charantia

Photo: Mark Hyde
Nr Diagnostic Imaging Centre, East Road, Harare

Momordica charantia

Photo: Mark Hyde
Nr Diagnostic Imaging Centre, East Road, Harare

Momordica charantia

Photo: Mark Hyde
Nr Diagnostic Imaging Centre, East Road, Harare

Momordica charantia

Photo: Mark Hyde
Nr Diagnostic Imaging Centre, East Road, Harare

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Along road to Pungwe river, Gorongosa National Park.

Momordica charantia

Photo: Bart Wursten
Along road to Pungwe river, Gorongosa National Park.

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

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.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat: In riverine fringes, along lake margins but also in old cultivation and disturbed areas.
Altitude range: Up to 1650 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Pantropical. Probably introduced in the Neotropics.
Malawi distribution: N,C,S
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated: Thursday 12 October 2017
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.

Other sources of information about Momordica charantia:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Momordica charantia
Flora of Mozambique: Momordica charantia
Flora of Zambia: Momordica charantia
Flora of Zimbabwe: Momordica charantia

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Momordica charantia
African 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


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2014-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Malawi: Species information: Momordica charantia.
https://www.malawiflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=157190, retrieved 28 March 2024

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