Momordica cardiospermoides Klotzsch

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Road to Mozambique border, Mahenye

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Synonyms:	Momordica clematidea Sond.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Perennial climber with prostrate or scandent stems up to 10 m long. Tendrils simple or 2-fid. Leaves compound, bipedately 15-17-foliolate, mostly in 3 groups of 5; leaflets mosly hairless with margins sinuate-dentate; median leaflet sometimes more or less deeply 3 lobed. Flowers unisexual on the same plant, solitary, up to 5.5 cm wide; petals unequal, pale yellow to orange-yellow, dark at the base. Male flowers slightly larger than female. Fruit ellipsoid, 5-13 cm long, smooth, bright red when ripe, indehiscent.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	cardiospermoides: resembling Cardiospermum, a climbing genus in Sapindaceae, referring to the similarity of the compound leaves.
Habitat:	Mainly in woodland and wooded grassland
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini and Mpumalanga, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
Botswana distribution:
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Thursday 5 February 2015
Literature:	Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 51. Jeffrey, C. (1978). Cucurbitaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Page 427. Jeffrey, C. & Fernandes, R.B. (1986). 80. Cucurbitaceae Flora de Moçambique Junta de Investigaçoes de Ultramar, Centro de Botanica Pages 23 - 24. Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 170. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 38. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 45. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 80 - 81. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 53.

Other sources of information about Momordica cardiospermoides:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Momordica cardiospermoides
Flora of Mozambique: Momordica cardiospermoides
Flora of Zambia: Momordica cardiospermoides
Flora of Zimbabwe: Momordica cardiospermoides

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Momordica cardiospermoides
African Plant Database: Momordica cardiospermoides
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Momordica cardiospermoides
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Momordica cardiospermoides
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Momordica cardiospermoides
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Momordica cardiospermoides
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Momordica cardiospermoides
JSTOR Plant Science: Momordica cardiospermoides
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Momordica cardiospermoides
Plants of the World Online: Momordica cardiospermoides
Tropicos: Momordica cardiospermoides
Wikipedia: Momordica cardiospermoides