| Synonyms: |
Coccinia polyantha Gilg Momordica fasciculata Cogn. |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Perennial climbing herb with annual stems up to 3 m, bearing simple tendrils. Leaves bright green, broadly ovate in outline, deeply, palmately 3-5-lobed with irregularly sinuate-dentate margins. Flowers large, cream to orange-yellow, rarely white, unisexual on different plants. Male flowers in fascicles of 2-6, often on leafless stems; female flowers solitary. Fruit ellipsoid to cylindric, up to 9 × 3.5 cm, orange-red. |
| Type location: |
Mozambique, Tete |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | fasciculata: in clusters or fascicles, referring to the flowers. |
| Habitat: | Woodland and wooded grassland in dry, hot areas. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1050 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and SE Tanzania |
| FZ divisions: | N,Z,T,MS,GI |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Tuesday 19 December 2017 |
| 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 Pages 430 - 431. (Includes a picture). Jeffrey, C. & Fernandes, R.B. (1986). 80. Cucurbitaceae Flora de Moçambique Junta de Investigaçoes de Ultramar, Centro de Botanica Pages 29 - 31. (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. |