More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Begonias, Gourds, and Allies of Zihuatanejo
ORDER CUCURBITALES
Bitter Melon
Momordica charantia
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Begonias, Gourds, and Allies (Order Cucurbitales)
-Gourd Family (Family Cucurbitaceae)
-Tribe Momordiceae
-Genus Momordica
-Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)
Momordica charantia, also known as bitter melon, is an edible, medicinal plant. It is an annual climbing vine with heart-shaped, light green leaves and yellow flowers. The fruits, which can range from yellow-green to orange-red in color, have a distinctive warty, bumpy exterior and a bitter, cucumber-like flavor. Bitter melon is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and has been used medicinally in traditional Asian herbal remedies for centuries. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and is often used in soups, salads, stir-fries, and other dishes.
Description
• Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon, bitter gourd, or balsam pear, is a climbing annual vine in the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). It has slender stems, curling tendrils, and deeply lobed leaves with toothed margins. The separate male and female flowers are yellow and grow singly from the leaf axils. Its distinctive elongated fruits have a warty, ridged surface and turn from green to yellow or orange as they ripen. When mature, the fruits split open to reveal bright red coverings around the seeds. The immature fruits are widely used as food, particularly in Asian cuisines, although the plant's parts can vary in safety depending on maturity and preparation.
Range
• Momordica charantia is generally considered native to tropical Africa and Asia, though its precise original range is uncertain. It has become widely established throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the Americas. It is established in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• This vine grows in warm, sunny to partially shaded habitats, including forest edges, thickets, roadsides, gardens, agricultural fields, and disturbed ground. It climbs over shrubs, fences, and other vegetation using its tendrils. It grows vigorously in warm conditions with adequate moisture and can spread readily where its fruits mature and release seeds.