Momordica cissoides

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family vine. It is a climbing or trailing herb. The stems can be 1-2 m long. It grows each year from seed. The flowers are white with a large black-purple spot on the base of each petal. The fruit are fleshy and 4 cm long. They are prickly and orange-yellow and have red seeds.

There are about 50 Momordica species. It is also used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in secondary forest in West Africa. It is often in forests along rivers. It can grow up to 1,850 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indochina, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

In Central African Republic it flowers are fruits in January and February.

Its other names

Local names

Beinmo, Is-ugu, Nalila-de-katar, Nanar n'kabulan, Sopropo, Tonto, Vor m'reas prey

Synonyms

Momordica guttata Planch. ex Benth.; Momordica maculata Planch ex Benth.;