Cayaponia laciniosa

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a vine like plant that is a climber. The leaves are 9-13 cm long by 5-7 cm wide. They are oval or oblong. The base is heart shaped and it tapers to the tip. Flowers are of separate sexes on the same plant. Male flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves and female flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a berry almost 1 cm across. It is red when ripe.

It is used in medicine due to its antimicrobial activity. There is some confusion over the name - see GRIN. Some records include Diplocyclos palmatus.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It will not grow in dry regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Northeastern India, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. The young fruit are cooked and made into soup.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bilanja, Kavadodi, Mala, Shivlingi, Shuvlingi

Synonyms

Bryonia laciniosa L.; Bryonia pedata Hassk.; Bryonia variegata Mill.; Bryonopsis courtallensis Arn.; Bryonopsis erythrocarpa (F. Muell.) Naudin; Bryonopsis laciniosa (L.) Naudin; Bryonopsis laciniosa var. erythrocarpa (F. Muell.) Naudin; Bryonopsis laciniosa var. typica Domin; Bryonopsis pedata Hassk.; Kedrostis coutallensis (Arn.) C. Jeffrey; Zehneria erythrocarpa F. Muell.; and some others