| Author: | Johann
Friedrich Klotzsch, 1861 |
| Family: |
CUCURBITACEAE |
| Origin: |
Botswana,
Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania,
Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Soil: |
Sand - Mix |
| Water:
|
Medium -
Maximum |
| Sun: |
Medium -
Maximum |
| Thickness: |
30
Centimetres |
| Height: |
6-10
Metres |
| Flower:
|
Yellow |
| Propagate: |
Seeds/Cuttings |
| Names:
|
Bitter
Gourd |
| Synonyms: |
Momordica clematidea, Otto Wilhelm Sonder |
This monoecious member of the
Cucurbitaceae family was
given this name by Johann Friedrich Klotzsch in 1861. It is found in
south-eastern Africa, growing in a well
drained soil with some to lots of water and some to lots of sun. The cluster
of swollen roots can grow to 30 centimetres in diameter, the vines
from six to ten meters long. The flowers are yellow and the fruits
are red.
The name comes from Mordio:
'to
bite' after the bitten appearance of the seeds. The
species name means
it looks like Cardiospermum, at least the leaves does. |
