Momordica balsamina L.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Kalimbeza Channel, Zambezi

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ngepi Camp, Kavango River

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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.
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in tropical Africa, particularly in coastal areas. Also in Arabia, India and Australia. Probably introduced in the Neotropics.
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:	Monday 27 May 2019
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.

Other sources of information about Momordica balsamina:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Momordica balsamina
Flora of Mozambique: Momordica balsamina
Flora of Zambia: Momordica balsamina
Flora of Zimbabwe: Momordica balsamina

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Momordica balsamina
African Plant Database: Momordica balsamina
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Momordica balsamina
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Momordica balsamina
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Momordica balsamina
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Momordica balsamina
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Momordica balsamina
JSTOR Plant Science: Momordica balsamina
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Momordica balsamina
Plants of the World Online: Momordica balsamina
Tropicos: Momordica balsamina
Wikipedia: Momordica balsamina