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. |
Type location: |
West Africa |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | foetidissima: very smelly; foetid. |
Habitat: | In woodland and grassland, often by termite mounds or rivers. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
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 |
Images 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. Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 91. Reekmans, M. (1983). Cucurbitaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume II Pages 468 - 469. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 53. |