Changes

| Food security= 3

}}

<big>''[[Momordica balsamina]]'' L.</big>

__NOTOC__

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Momordica balsamina'' (PROTA)}}

:Protologue: Sp. pl. 2: 1009 (1753).

:Chromosome number: 2''n'' = 22

== Vernacular names ==

The bitter taste of all parts of ''Momordica balsamina'' may be caused by cucurbitacins, as in many other ''Cucurbitaceae'', but may also be caused by saponins. The ribosome inactivating protein momordin II has been isolated, as well as the caffeic acid ester rosmarinic acid, which is of pharmaceutical interest because of its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

Monoecious, annual or short-lived perennial herb, trailing or climbing with simple tendrils; stem up to 1.5 m long, angular. Leaves alternate, simple; stipules absent; petiole 0.5–6 cm long, pubescent; blade broadly ovate to orbicular, 1–9 cm × 1–12 cm, deeply palmately 5–7-lobed, lobes 3–5-lobulate. Flowers solitary, unisexual, regular, 5-merous; male flowers with pedicel 1.5–10 cm long, receptacle 2–4.5 mm long, sepals 0.5–1 cm long, petals 1–2 cm long, pale yellow, cream or white, and 3 free stamens; female flowers with pedicel up to 0.5 cm long, receptacle 0.5–1 mm long, sepals narrow, up to 0.5 cm long, petals 0.5–1.5 cm long, and inferior, 1-celled ovary. Fruit an ovoid-ellipsoid berry 2.5–4.5 cm long, tuberculate, bright orange or red, dehiscing with 3 valves, exposing the many seeds embedded in red pulp. Seeds ovate, compressed, 9–12 mm long.

== Other botanical information ==

== Ecology ==

''Momordica balsamina'' is widespread throughout the drier parts of tropical Africa. It is mainly found on sandy soils, from sea-level up to 1600 m altitude. It occurs in woodland, wooded grassland, on river banks and in dry river beds.

== Management ==

''Momordica balsamina'' is mainly collected from the wild, but widely cultivated as well. It is planted close to homesteads, often growing over fences and huts.

== Genetic resources ==