Momordica balsamina
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mo-MOR-dee-ka bal-SAM-in-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Annual vine; prefers a light, moist soil; sow seeds directly outdoors or start seedling indoors.
The leaves and young fruits of Momordica balsamina are cooked and eaten as a vegetable in Cameroon, Sudan and southern Africa. The bitter young fruits have been reported widely as edible, whereas the ripe fruits cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and can be poisonous. The bright red fruit pulp is eaten in Namibia. Can harm dogs if they eat the ripe fruit.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Momordica
- Species:
- balsamina
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Wide spectrum of medicinal and nutritional values and has been used as a traditional folk medicine in many countries
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical & South Africa, South West Arabian Peninsula
- Distribution:
- Invasive in Asia, Australia, Central America
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Edibility:
- Edible, but bitter fruit
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Yellowish-green warty fruits turn yellow-orange and split to reveal red seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Description:
- Small, yellow, deeply veined flowers
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Leaves:
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
