Home | > | List of families | > | Cucurbitaceae | > | Momordica | > | balsamina |
Synonyms: |
Momordica involucrata E. Mey. ex Sond. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Perennial climber with prostrate or scandent stems up to 2.7 m long. Tendrils simple. Leaves up to 9 × 12 cm, broadly ovate to almost circular in outline, deeply 5-7 lobed, each lobed often 3-5 lobed again, deeply cordate at the base; ultimate margin with sinuate teeth. Flowers unisexual on the same plant, solitary; pale yellow, cream or white, darker at the base, often green-veined. Fruit ovoid, tuberculate, beaked, 2.5 - 6.5 cm long orange-red to red when ripe. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | balsamina: balsam-scented |
Habitat: | In woodland, wooded grassland and riverine fringes, often on sandy soils. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1600 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical Africa, particularly in coastal areas. Also in Arabia, India and Australia. Probably introduced in the Neotropics. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | W,C,E,S |
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: | Sunday 1 February 2009 |
Literature: |
Bandeira, S., Bolnick, D. & Barbosa, F. (2007). Wild Flowers of Southern Mozambique Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique Page 201. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 26. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 244. (Includes a picture). Jeffrey, C. (1978). Cucurbitaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Page 423. Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 169. (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. Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 57. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 53. Siebert, S. & Mössmer, M. (Editors) (2002). SABONET Southern Mozambique Expedition 2001; Provisional Plant Checklist of the Maputo Elephant Reserve (MER) and Licuati Forest Reserve (LFR) SABONET News 7(1) Page 25. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 205. |
Home | > | List of families | > | Cucurbitaceae | > | Momordica | > | balsamina |