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(Last Modified On 8/1/2013)
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(Last Modified On 8/1/2013)
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Genus
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Momordica L.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Sp. P1. 1009. 1753
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Note
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TYPE: M. balsamina L.
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Synonym
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Amordica Neck., Elem. Bot. 1: 241. 1790. TYPE: not designated. Muricia Loureio, Fl. Cochinch. 2: 596. 1790. TYPE: M. cochinchinensis Lour. Zucca Comers. ex Juss., Gen. P1. 398. 1798. TYPE: Z. commersoniana Ser. Nevrosperma Raf., Am. Monthly Mag. 4: 40. 1818. TYPE: N. cuspidata Raf.
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Description
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Monoecious or rarely dioecious, tendriled, scandent or prostrate vines; stems 5-sulcate. Leaves petiolate, simple or 3- to 9-foliolate; tendrils simple or 2- branched. Staminate flowers in corymbs, racemes, or solitary, axillary; calyx campanulate, cupulate, or funnel-shaped, 5-lobate; corolla 5-lobate, rotate, or campanulate; stamens 3, rarely 2, the filaments free, the anthers connate, the thecas flexuous, forming an irregular head, ultimately free, 1 theca unilocular, 2 thecas bilocular. Pistillate flowers solitary, axillary; calyx and corolla as in the staminate flowers, ovary oblong or fusiform, 3-carpellate, each carpel few to many ovulate, ovules horizontal, the styles 3, connate, the stigmas 3, each bilo- bate. Fruit oblong, fusiform, or cylindrical, indehiscent or 3-valvate, often tuber- culate or echinate; seeds turgid or compressed, the testa smooth, rugose, or rarely sculptured.
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Habit
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vines
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Distribution
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Momordica is a genus of about 60 species native to the Old World tropics and subtropics.
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Note
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Two species, M. balsamina and M. charantia are adventive in the New World tropics and subtropics. The latter species is found in Panama.
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