Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Mukolo Camp, Kavango River

Photo: Bart Wursten
C8 between Katima Mulilo and Kongola at turn-off to Kaenda

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Synonyms:	Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn. subsp. obtusiloba (Sond.) Meeuse Trichosanthes foetidissima Jacq. Zehneria obtusiloba Sond.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Herb with prostrate or climbing stems up to 3 m long, growing from a tuberous root. Plant somewhat sticky and unpleasantly smelling when crushed. Leaves narrowly to broadly ovate in outline, up to 9 × 10.5 cm, unlobed to 3-5-lobed, cordate at the base, more or less densely and finely rough-hairy on both surfaces; margin very finely toothed; petiole 0.5-5 cm long. Tendrils simple. Flowers unisexual, sometimes together in the same axils. Male flowers 3-15 in axillary clusters or racemes on peduncles 4.5-30 mm long; petals 2-5 mm long, cream, yellow or greenish-yellow. Female flowers solitary; petals 1.5-3 mm long. Fruit ovoid to almost round, 9-13 mm long, sometimes beaked, finely hairy, pale green with darker longitudinal lines, becoming orange to red when ripe.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	foetidissima: very smelly; foetid.
Habitat:	In woodland and grassland, often by termite mounds or rivers.
Flowering time:	Dec-Feb
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in tropical Africa and Arabia and naturalised in parts of Asia.
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:	Saturday 31 March 2018
Literature:	Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 243. (Includes a picture). Jeffrey, C. (1978). Cucurbitaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 486 - 487. Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 168. (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. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 53.

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Flora of Botswana: Kedrostis foetidissima
Flora of Mozambique: Kedrostis foetidissima
Flora of Zambia: Kedrostis foetidissima
Flora of Zimbabwe: Kedrostis foetidissima

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Kedrostis foetidissima
African Plant Database: Kedrostis foetidissima
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Kedrostis foetidissima
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Kedrostis foetidissima
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Kedrostis foetidissima
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Kedrostis foetidissima
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Kedrostis foetidissima
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network): Kedrostis foetidissima
iNaturalist: Kedrostis foetidissima
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Kedrostis foetidissima
JSTOR Plant Science: Kedrostis foetidissima
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Kedrostis foetidissima
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Kedrostis foetidissima
Plants of the World Online: Kedrostis foetidissima
Tropicos: Kedrostis foetidissima
Wikipedia: Kedrostis foetidissima