Skip to main content

Momordica CUCURBITACEAE

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Dicotyledons: Rosids

Part of the book series: Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants ((SUCCPLANTS))

  • 22 Accesses

Abstract

A diagnostic description of the genus is given with special emphasis on the occurrence of succulence amongst its species. The geographical distribution is outlined, together with a selection of important literature, and an explanation of the etymology of the name. This is followed by a short summary of its position in the phylogeny of the family and of the past and present classification in a phylogenetic context. The succulent features present amongst the species of the genus are shortly explained as to morphology and anatomy.

This is followed by a synoptical treatment of the succulent species of the genus, complete with typification details, full synonymy, geographical and ecological data, a diagnostic description, and, where applicable, notes on phylogenetic placement and relationships, as well as economic and/or horticultural importance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Beyenbach, J. (2018) Auf Pflanzensafari durch Kenia. Teil 3: Der Norden, von Isiolo nach Marsabit/Teil 4 und Schluss: Der Norden, Marsabit und Moyale. Avonia 36(3): 170–177, (4): 224–233, ills., map.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharathi, L. K. [& al. 2011], Munshi, A. D., Vinod, Shanti Chandrashekaran, Behera, T. K., Das, A. B., John, K. J. & Vishalnath (2011) Cytotaxonomical analysis of Momordica L. (Cucurbitaceae) species of Indian occurrence. J. Genet. 90(1): 21–30, ills. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12041-011-0026-5.

  • Darlington, C. D. & Wylie, A. P. (1955) Chromosome atlas of flowering plants. London (GB): Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Genaust, H. (1996) Etymologisches Wörterbuch der botanischen Pflanzennamen. Ed. 3. Basel (CH), etc.: Birkhäuser Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hossain, M. A. [& al. 1996], Islam, M. & Ali, M. (1996) Sexual crossing between two genetically female plants and sex genetics of kakrol (Momordica dioica Roxb.). Euphytica 90(1): 121–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025168.

  • Jeffrey, C. (1967) Cucurbitaceae. In: Milne-Redhead, E. & Polhill, R. M. (eds.): Flora of Tropical East Africa. London (GB): Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey, C. & Thulin, M. (1993) Cucurbitaceae. In: Thulin, M. (ed.): Flora of Somalia, 1: 216–240, ills., keys. Kew (GB): Royal Botanic Gardens.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey, C. & Wilde, W. J. J. O. de (2006) A review of the subtribe Thladianthinae (Cucurbitaceae). Bot. Zhurn. (Moscow & Leningrad) 91(5): 766–767.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joseph John, K. [& al. 2009], Antony, V. T., Marydas, J. & Karuppaiyan, R. (2009) Tuber morphology, germination behaviour and propagation efficiency in three edible Momordica (Cucurbitaceae) species of India. Genet. Resources Crop Evol. 56(6): 861–868, ills. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-009-9407-5.

  • Lenain, H. (2012) Plantes à caudex de A à Z. Paris (FR): Ulmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mabberley, D. J. (2017) Mabberley’s Plant-Book. A portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Ed. 4. Cambridge (GB): Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Njoroge, G. N. & Newton, L. E. (2002) Ethnobotany and distribution of wild genetic resources of the family Cucurbitaceae in the central highlands of Kenya. Pl. Genet. Resources Newslett. 132: 10–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowley, G. D. (1987) Caudiciform and pachycaul succulents. Pachycauls, bottle-, barrel- and elephant-trees and their kin: A collector’s miscellany. Mill Valley (US): Strawberry Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, H. & Renner, S. S. (2010) A three-genome phylogeny of Momordica (Cucurbitaceae) suggests seven returns from dioecy to monoecy and recent long-distance dispersal to Asia. Molec. Phylogen. Evol. 54(2): 553–560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2009.08.006.

  • Schaefer, H. & Renner, S. S. (2011) Cucurbitaceae. In: Kubitzki, K. (ed.): The families and genera of vascular plants, volume X; pp. 112–174, ills., key. Heidelberg (DE) etc.: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14397-7_10.

  • Vogel, S. (1990) Ölblumen und ölsammelnde Bienen. Dritte Folge. Momordica, Thladiantha und die Ctenoplectridae. Trop. subtrop. Pfl.-welt 73: 186 pp., ills., diags.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilde, W. J. J. O. de & Duyfjes, B. E. E. (2002) Synopsis of Momordica (Cucurbitaceae) in SE Asia and Malesia. Bot. Zhurn. (Moscow & Leningrad) 87(3): 132–148, ills., key.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins Ellert, M. (1996) A caudiciform cucurbit from Zimbabwe: Momordica boivinii Baill. Cact. Succ. J. (US) 68(2): 88–91, ills.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann, A. (1922) Die Cucurbitaceen. Beiträge zur Anatomie, Physiologie, Morphologie, Biologie, Pathologie und Systematik. Heft 1/Heft 2. Jena (DE) Verlag von Gustav Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. E. Newton .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Newton, L.E. (2023). Momordica CUCURBITACEAE. In: Eggli, U., Nyffeler, R. (eds) Dicotyledons: Rosids. Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93492-7_49

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics