Gymnopetalum chinense

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a creeping or climbing herb. It has a tendril at every node opposite the leaf. The leaves have veins spread out like fingers on a hand. The leaves are an angular oval shape. The flower buds occur between the tendril and the leaf stalk. Male and female flowers are separate. The flower tubes are white.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The unripe fruit with the seeds removed is candied or used as a flavouring. The young leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable and as a potherb. CAUTION: Mature fruit are poisonous. Young fruit are edible. They are cooked with dried fish. They are also used for chutney.

Young leaves and fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, young fruit, shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Beimahai, Betimum tikus, Cut qua, Dukhathai, Kanjat, Kaubutkila, Kemarogan, Manisan, Ram berul, Riho, Sipam, Timput pulau

Synonyms

Bryonia cochinchinensis Lour.; Euonymus chinensis Lour.; Gymnopetalum cochinchinense (Lour.) Kurz; Gymnopetalum quinquelobium Miq.; Momordica spicata L. ex Sm.; and others.