Momordica corymbifera Hook.f.

Cucurbitaceae, C. Jeffrey. Flora Zambesiaca 4. 1978

Morphology General Habit

Stems prostrate or scandent to 10 m., sparsely to very densely shortly and finely crispate-pubescent, arising from large woody tuberous rootstock; all parts foetid.

Morphology Leaves

Leaf-lamina 4·7–10·7 × 5·0–10·4 cm., ovate to broadly ovate in outline, deeply cordate, remotely denticulate to sinuate-serrate, finely punctate and shortly and finely pubescent on veins beneath, finely pubescent or asperulous above, unlobed or usually shortly palmately 3–5-lobed, the median lobe largest, broadly triangular to ovate, acuminate, acute, apiculate; lateral lobes much shorter. Leaves simple.

Morphology Leaves Petiole

Petiole 2·1–9·2 cm. long, rather densely shortly finely pubescent.

Morphology General Tendrils

Tendrils 2-fid.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers monoecious. male flowers solitary or usually 4–11 in bracteate, pedunculate, subumbelliform or racemiform inflorescences, rarely proliferating into many-flowered fascicles; peduncle 1·1–9·5 cm. long; bracts 2–20 mm. long, usually ovate or broadly ovate, rounded, apiculate, sessile or shortly stalked; pedicels 0·5–2·7 cm. long. Receptacle-tube 3–8 mm. long, lobes 3–6 mm. long, green or blackish, ovate to broadly ovate or obovate-oblong, rounded to acute, apiculate to long-acuminate, apices sometimes recurved. Petals 11–19 mm. long, pale yellow, dark-lined along the veins at the base, recurved. Female flowers solitary or paired; peduncle up to 6·2 cm. long, bracteate at apex; bract 7 mm. long; pedicel 3 mm. long; ovary 16–30 × 5–8 mm., ovoid or ellipsoid, rostrate, longitudinally ridged, finely puberulous, the ridges wing-like, toothed; receptacle-tube very short, 1 mm. long, lobes 6–13 mm. long, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acutely-acuminate; petals 17–26 mm. long.

sex Male

male flowers solitary or usually 4–11 in bracteate, pedunculate, subumbelliform or racemiform inflorescences, rarely proliferating into many-flowered fascicles; peduncle 1·1–9·5 cm. long; bracts 2–20 mm. long, usually ovate or broadly ovate, rounded, apiculate, sessile or shortly stalked; pedicels 0·5–2·7 cm. long. Receptacle-tube 3–8 mm. long, lobes 3–6 mm. long, green or blackish, ovate to broadly ovate or obovate-oblong, rounded to acute, apiculate to long-acuminate, apices sometimes recurved. Petals 11–19 mm. long, pale yellow, dark-lined along the veins at the base, recurved.

sex Female

Female flowers solitary or paired; peduncle up to 6·2 cm. long, bracteate at apex; bract 7 mm. long; pedicel 3 mm. long; ovary 16–30 × 5–8 mm., ovoid or ellipsoid, rostrate, longitudinally ridged, finely puberulous, the ridges wing-like, toothed; receptacle-tube very short, 1 mm. long, lobes 6–13 mm. long, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acutely-acuminate; petals 17–26 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit c. 9 × 5 cm., ellipsoid, shortly rostrate, with 16 longitudinal wing-like ridges; fruit stalk 1 cm. or more long, stout.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 16–16·5 × 12·8–13 × 6·5–7·0 mm., asymmetrically ovate in outline, subcompressed, brown, almost smooth, with grooved margins, enveloped in sheaths of fleshy pulp.