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Melothria pendula L.
| Family Name: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cucumis glaber, Melothria fluminensis, Melothria guadalupensis |
| Common Name: | Guadeloupe Cucumber, Creeping Cucumber, 垂瓜果 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | USA |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Temperate Forest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Temperate |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous vine with a trailing or climbing growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves are 3- to 5-lobed and have palmate venation (5 cm long). |
| Stems | Stem produces coiled tendrils that help the vine to climb upwards. |
| Flowers | Small, cup-shaped flowers are composed of 5 yellow, round lobes. |
| Fruit | Small, round to oblong fruits hang down from the stem (1-2 cm long). The smooth, shiny fruit is intially dark green with light green spots, but gradually turns black. |
| Habitat | Occurs along roadsides, marsh edges, or forests. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The raw berry acts as a strong laxative. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Cordate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | White |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30906 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5283 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |