Momordica charantia L.

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

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Common names:
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.
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Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Pantropical. Probably introduced in the Neotropics.
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Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
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.

Flora of Malawi: Momordica charantia
Flora of Mozambique: Momordica charantia
Flora of Zambia: Momordica charantia
Flora of Zimbabwe: Momordica charantia

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