Momordica rostrata

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A herb. It lies along the ground or can be climbing. It has tendrils. It has a fleshy rootstock. The stems can be 7 m long and become woody. The leaves are alternate. They have about 9 lobes. The central leaflet is almost round and 1-5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide and the side leaflets are smaller. Male and female flowers are separate. Male flowers are in groups and female flowers occur singly. The fruit are oval berries. They are 3-7 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. The pulp is bright red with many seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Tanzania it grows in dry woodland from sea level to 1,650 m altitude. It grows in rocky places. It can grow in arid places. In the Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The leaves and fruit are boiled and eaten. They are also used in relishes and chutneys. The young tender leaves are cooked and eaten alone or mixed with amaranth. Ripe fruit are sweet and edible. The seeds are roasted and eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children. It is a locally popular vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Cheprukwo, Kiongoa, Kulo, Kunguiva, Kyongoa, Litambalanzoka, Mtunda nyoka, Olamposhi, Rukiri

Synonyms

Momordica microphylla Chiov.;