Spiny bitter cucumber, Chinese bitter-cucumber
Momordica cochinchinensis

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a coarse vine up to 15 m long. It keeps growing from year to year. It has tuberous roots. It climbs by means of tendrils. It is slightly hairy. The leaves are 8 to 18 cm long, and 8-20 cm across and deeply 3 lobed and the base is heart shaped. Leaves are bright green. The leaf stalks are 2-10 cm long. Male and female flowers are separate on the same plant. Male flowers are 3.5 cm across on stalks 5-30 cm long. The petals are pale yellow. The female flowers are smaller. The fruit are egg shaped, yellow and roughened with small bumps scattered over it. They are edible. The flesh is orange-red. The seeds are blackish-brown.

There are about 50 Momordica species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits tropical places but also grows in warm humid climates. It occurs from northern Luzon to southern Mindanao in the Philippines. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young leafy shoots are eaten cooked. They are often blanched then served with chili sauce or added to soups. The young fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable with other vegetables. They are boiled, stir-fried or used in curries.

Fruit are sold in markets. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, fruit, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings of firm young growth. The tuberous roots can be used. The plants are spaced 130 cm apart.

One plant can produce 4 kg of fruit. There can be 20-25 fruit. In Sikkim fruit are available June to July.

Its other names

Local names

Adavi kakara, Aganxi, Baro kakrol, Bhat karela, Bhat kerela, Bolongni kangro, Bonkakrol, Bon-karela, Buyok-buyok, Chinese-cucumber, Cochinchin gourd, Cundeamor, Deng gu le leng, Fak kao, Fak-khao, Gac, Gangerua, Go-ka-kara, Gol kakoda, Golkakra, Gulkakra, Hangathai, Kakrol, Kpak-se-saw, Huihuaigaibu, Jangli-kakrol, Jankha, Kakana, Kakrol, Kankura, Kantola, Karapata, Karkataka, Karol, Khaawz, Khika-khrua, Libas, Makkao, Mubieguo, Nraupui-chi, Parog-parog, Paruk-paruk, Phak-khao, Pupia, Samon-nwe, Sla pouthuowa, Spike-fruited crow's cucumber, Spiny bitter-gourd, Sugod-sugod, Sweet gourd, Tabog-ok, Taboguak, Tangkhapi, Tangkhawt, Taw-thabut, Teruah, Tha-myet, Torobuk, Toropu

Synonyms

Momordica macropylla Gage; Momordica meloniflora Hand.Mazz.; Momordica mixta Roxb.; Muricia cochinchinensis Lour.; Zucca commersoniana Ser.;