Melothria trilobata

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A vine. It grows 5 m long. The leaves are almost round and 6-10 cm long. They have 5-7 lobes. The fruit are green with darker green stripes. They are oval and 4-5 cm long by 2.5-3 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 20-1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Brazil, Caribbean, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, South America, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Patilla de monte

Synonyms

Melothria angustifolia Cogn.; Melothria angustiloba Cogn.; Melothria candolleana Cogn.; Melothria heteroloba Pittier; Melothria trilobata var. costaricensis Cogn.; Melothria trilobata var. sphaerocarpa Cogn.;