| Synonyms: |
Bryonia cordifolia L. Bryonia scabrella L. Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn. Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn. Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem. Mukia scabrella (L.) Arn. |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Prostrate or climbing herb. Stems, leaves and tendrils with rough, whitish hairs. The leaves are variable, broadly ovate to triangular or palmately 3(-5) lobed, margin serrate. Flowers small, yellow in axillary clusters. Fruit globose, 6-11 mm in diameter, smooth and hairless, green with paler stripes when young, bright red when ripe. |
| Type location: |
India |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | maderaspatanus: from the Madras region of India |
| Habitat: | A climber of damp places in woodland, grassland and riverine margins. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 300 - 1500 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Throughout the Old World Tropics including New Guinea and Australia. |
| FZ divisions: | N,W,C,E |
| 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: | Sunday 10 February 2019 |
| Literature: |
Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 245. (Includes a picture). Jeffrey, C. (1978). Cucurbitaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 475 - 477. (Includes a picture). Keraudren-Aymonin, M. (1975). Cucurbitaceae Flore d'Afrique Centrale Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Bruxelles Pages 30 - 32. as Mukia maderaspatana (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 90. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 45. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 78 - 79. (Includes a picture). Reekmans, M. (1983). Cucurbitaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume II Page 466. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 53. Symoens, J.-J. (1977). Ruppiaceae Flore d'Afrique Centrale (Zaire - Rwanda - Burundi) Jardin Botanique National de Belgique Page 65. as Mukia maderaspatana |