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Momordica foetida
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Photo: Bart Wursten
Kamiranzovu trail, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Nyamasheke
Photo: Bart Wursten
Nyarubuye, Kirehe
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| Synonyms: |
Momordica morkorra A. Rich. Momordica schimperiana Naud. |
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| Description: |
Perennial climber with annual prostrate or scandent stems up to 7 m long, growing from a tuberous rootstock. All parts emit an unpleasant smell when crushed. leave up to c. 19 × 18 cm, broadly ovate to ovate-triangular, mostly unlobed, deeply cordate at the base, punctate and with scabrid hairs above, hairless or crispate-pubescent on the veins beneath; margin from minutely denticulate to strongly sinuate-dentate. Tendrils simple or 2-fid. Flowers unisexual on different plants, axillary, c. 3.5 cm in diameter. Male flowers in 1-8-flowered clusters, opening singly; female flowers solitary. Calyx dark green to black, covered in bristly protuberances. Corolla c. 3.5 cm in diameter, pale orange-yellow, darker near the base, often somewhat zygomorphic. Fruit ovoid or ellipsoid, up to 7.5 × 5 cm, bright orange when ripe, covered in soft spine-like protuberances, dehiscent into three valves, revealing seeds embedded in bright red jelly. |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | foetida: foetid, bad-smelling |
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| Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in Tropical Africa. |
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| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Content last updated: | Thursday 26 September 2024 |
| Literature: |
Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 88 - 89. (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 135. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 39. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 51. Fabian, A. & Germishuizen, G. (1997). Wild Flowers of Northern South Africa. Fernwood Press, Vlaeburg. Pages 416 - 417. (Includes a picture). Fischer, E. & Killmann, D. (2008). Illustrated Field guide to the Plants of Nyungwe National Park Rwanda. University of Koblenz-Landau. Pages 424 - 425. (Includes a picture). Jeffrey, C. (1978). Cucurbitaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 424 - 426. (Includes a picture). Jeffrey, C. & Fernandes, R.B. (1986). 80. Cucurbitaceae Flora de Moçambique Junta de Investigaçoes de Ultramar, Centro de Botanica Pages 18 - 20. (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. 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 80 - 81. (Includes a picture). Reekmans, M. (1983). Cucurbitaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume II Pages 462 - 463. (Includes a picture). |
Other sources of information about Momordica foetida:
Our websites:
Flora of Burundi: Momordica foetidaFlora of the DRC: Momordica foetida
Flora of Malawi: Momordica foetida
Flora of Mozambique: Momordica foetida
Flora of Zambia: Momordica foetida
Flora of Zimbabwe: Momordica foetida
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Momordica foetidaAfrican Plant Database: Momordica foetida
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Momordica foetida
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Momordica foetida
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Momordica foetida
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Momordica foetida
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Momordica foetida
JSTOR Plant Science: Momordica foetida
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Momordica foetida
Plants of the World Online: Momordica foetida
Tropicos: Momordica foetida
Wikipedia: Momordica foetida
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