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(Last Modified On 8/1/2013)
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(Last Modified On 8/1/2013)
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Species
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Momordica charantia L.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Sp. P1. 1009. 1753.
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Note
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TYPE: ex China, in Hort. Upsaliensis, Herb. Linn. 1150: 2 (LINN, not seen; microfiche MO).
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Description
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Leaves simple, reniform. to suborbicular, 5- to 7-lobate to the middle or beyond, 3-6(-12) cm long and wide, the lobes oblong to spatulate, the apex obtuse and mucronate, the base cordate, the margin with obtuse to subacute teeth, submembranaceous to chartaceous, the upper surface minutely glandular, puberulent, at least on the veins; petiole 1-6 cm long, slender, striate; tendrils simple. Staminate flowers solitary, axillary; peduncle slender, 4-15 cm long, pubescent to puberulent, 5-lobate to near the middle, the lobes ovate lanceolate, 4-9 mm long, acute; corolla yellow, 5-lobate, the lobes oblong obovate, ca. 1 cm long, the apex obtuse to emarginate, pubescent on the outer surface and on the upper edge of the inner with both simple and glandular hairs, prominently 5- to 9-nerved; stamens 3, the filaments free, 2-3 mm long, the anthers 3, thecas flexu- ous, connate, forming an irregular head, ultimately free. Pistillate flowers soli- tary, axillary; peduncle 5-10 cm long, slender, pubescent, bearing a minute sub- basal bract; calyx and corolla similar to those of the staminate flower; ovary fusiform, rostrate, tuberculate, pubescent, the styles 3, connate, 2-3 mm long, the stigmas 3, each 2-lobate. Fruit bright orange red, ovoid to fusiform, long rostrate, 4-8 cm long, 2-4 cm in diameter, the surface with obtuse to acute tubercles, glabrate, 3-carpellate, 3-valvate, the valves curling back to expose the bright red aril surrounding each seed; seeds numerous in each carpel, oblong, 8-10 mm long, 4-6 mm wide, moderately compressed, slightly 3-toothed at both ends, the testa rugulose.
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Distribution
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Widespread in the tropics and subtropics of both the Old and New World.
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Note
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In Panama it is known from every province except for Herrera and Colon, but doubtlessly it also occurs there. It is found in forests and disturbed sites at lower elevations. The bright red aril surrounding the seeds of the mature fruits is sometimes eaten by children, the green fruits are cooked, or the leaves parboiled and eaten as a vegetable. The leaves and fruits are also sometimes variously used medici- nally for colic, worms, or to induce vomiting. Parts of the plant are reputedly poisonous to humans.
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Common
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balsamina
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Specimen
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BOCAS DEL TORO: Hill above railroad station at Milla ?, Croat & Porter 16391 (MO). 5 mi N of Changuinola on the Changuinola River, Lazor et al. 2472 (FSU). Changuinola to 5 mi S at junction of Rio Changuinola and Rio Teribe, Lewis et al. 904 (GH, MO). Chiri- quicito to 5 mi S along Rio Guarumo, Lewis et al. 1975 (GH, MO). Without definite locality, Wedel 224 (MO). CANAL ZONE: Juan Mina, Bartlett & Lasser 16535 (DUKE, MO). Cerro Viejo on K16C, Blum 1257 (FSU, NY). Hills near drop zone, few miles from Vernado Beach, Correa & Gonzales 508 (AA, DUKE, MO). Monkey Hill, Cowell 26 (NY). Highway between Madden Dam and Boy Scout Road, Croat 8980 (MO). Corrosion Laboratory near Miraflores Locks, Duke 4429 (GH, MO). Miraflores Locks, Dwyer 1006 (MO, US). Military Road K-9, Ebinger 539 (MO). Near Gati'n Dam, Foster & Chong 1354 (DUKE). Ancon, Green- man & Greenman 5044 (MO, USF). Las Cruces Trail, Hunter & Allen 713 (MO). Near Gamboa, Rio Mandinga ca. 1 mi up from the canal, Kennedy et al. 2383 (F). Ancon Hill, Killip 3039 (GH, NY, US), 3288 (US). Panamerican Highway 2 mi E of Arraijan, Lewis et al. 5186 (MO). Thunder Hill, Curundu, McDaniel 5181 (MO). Culebra, Pittier 2190 (F, NY, US). Balboa, Standley 3211 (US). Sosa Hill, Balboa, Standley 25233 (US). Las Cas- cadas Plantation near Summit, Standley 25820 (US). Gamboa, Standley 28436 (US). Rio Pedro Miguel, near East Paraiso, Standley 29925 (US). Corrosion Laboratory near Miraflores Locks, Stern et al. 64 (GH, MO, US). Near Survival School, Curundu, Tyson 1057 (FSU, MO). Howard Air Force Base near Red Devil Drop Zone, Tyson 1856 (MO). Vernado Beach, Point Brujas, near Fort Kobbe, Welch 19846 (MO). Scrubby forested hills ca. 1 mi SW of Cocoli in the Rodman Naval Ammunition Depot, Wilbur et al. 12952 (DUKE). Mad- den Lake, various trails beyond dam, Witherspoon & Witherspoon 8800 (MO). BARRO COLO- RBADO ISLAND: Croat 6373 (MO); Luteyn 774 (DUKE); Shattuck 1111 (F); Starry 251 (F). CHIRIQUI: San Bartolo Limite, 20 km W of Puerto Armielles, Busey 543 (MO). Monte Verde, 2.5 km W of Puerto Armuelles, Liesner 47 (DUKE, MO). Quebrada Tuco, 9 mi S of Puerto Armuelles, Liesner 168 (MO). Puerto Armuelles, Woodson & Schery 822 (GH, MO, US). COCLE: Rio Hato Airstrip, Burch 1143 (F, GH, MO, NY). 12 mi NE of Penonome', Lewis et al. 1514 (GH, MO, US). Boca del Toabre at confluence of Rio Toabre and Rio Cocle del Norte, Lewis et al. 5534 (MO). Between Aguadulce and Anton, Woodson et al. 1219 (F, GH, MO, NY). DARIEN: Road to Pinogana from El Real, Croat 15558 (MO). El Real, Rio Tuira, Duke 5054 (GH, MO, US). Patino, Duke 10527 (MO). Near Yaviza, Gentry & Mori 13521 (USF). Village of Mannene, Kirkbride & Bristan 1616 (MO). ?/2 mi E of airstrip at El Real, Lazor & Correa 3394 (FSU). Without other locality, Macbride 2675 (F). El Real, Rio Tuira, Stern et al. 787 (GH, MO, US). Tucuti, Terry & Terry 1408 (F, GH, MO). 1 mi N of Rio Sabana, Tyson et al. 4799 (FSU). LOS SANTOS: 7 mi S of Chitre, Croat 9708 (DUKE, F, GH, MO); D'Arcy & Croat 4175 (MO). Rio Tonosi, vicinity of Tonosi, Lewis et al. 1541 (GH, MO). Between Tonosi and Macaracas, Oliver et al. 3571 (MO). Weedy banana grove 2 mi S of Guarare, Wilbur et al. 12173 (DUKE). PANAMA: Pacora, Carrera 32 (MO). Cerro Campana, Castillo 15 (DUKE, MO). Along trail between Rio Maje and Quebrada Brava, Croat 34604A (MO). Panamerican Highway near Jenine, Rio Canita, Duke 3830 (DUKE, GH, MO). Airstrip near beach in Panama City, Duke 4009 (MO). Entrada de Chame, Duran 49 (GH). Cermeno, Dwy er & Robyns 96 (MO). Orillas del Cha- gres a 50 m de la carretera Transistmica, Falcon 11 (MO). Dam site near Rio Bayano beyond Cafnita, Gentry & Tyson 1682 (MO). Tocumen, Gonzalez 20 (MO). Vicinity of Arenosa, lower Rio Trinidad, Seibert 605 (GH, MO, NY). Taboga Island, Standley 27041 (US). Macapale Island in Madden Lake, Tyson 5488 (FSU, MO). Between Chepo and La Capa- tina, Tyson 6754 (MO). Marsh area 2 mi S of Tocumen Airport, Tyson & Clewell 5896 (DUKE). Weedy roadsides within 1 mi of Chepo, Wilbur & Luteyn 11801 (DUKE). SAN BLAS: Sasardi, Duke 10132 (MO). Puerto Obaldia, Gentry 1567 (MO). VERAGUAS: Puerto Mutis, 12 mi S of Santiago, Tyson 6016 (FSU, MO).
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