Appendices 

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 Appendix 31

ncyclopaedic profile of

MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L.                                     CUCURBITACEAE

(and other species of Momordica)

C Kameswara Rao and Sangeetaa Wadhawan

        Momordica is a genus of herbaceous annual or perennial climbers with 45 species native to tropical Asia and Africa. About six species are cultivated for the fruits used as a vegetable, the most common being Momordica charantia. The fruits are bitter (except in Momordica dioica) but are edible. Tender shoots, leaves and root tubers are also used as a vegetable and the seeds as condiment. Species of Momordica have been in use in indigenous medical systems in various countries in Asia and Africa.

HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION

1. Momordica charantia L. (=Momordica muricata DC.): occurs naturally and in cultivation throughout India, Sri Lanka, Malaya, China, tropical Africa and America. Flowers monoecious. Two varieties, var. charantia (fruits large, not tapering at both ends) and var. muricata (Willd.) Chakravarty, (fruits small, tapering at both ends) occur.

2. Momordica dioica Roxb. (=Momordica balsamina Wall., non L.): occurs naturally throughout India, Sri Lanka, Burma, China and Malaya; cultivated in the Deccan. Flowers dioecious. Tubers edible.

3. Momordica balsamina L. (non Wall.): occurs naturally in Malaysia, China, Polynesia, Australia, western Asia and tropical Africa; introduced into America; cultivated in Sind (Pakistan), Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh but rare in Deccan. Flowers monoecious.

4. Momordica subangulata Blume: occurs naturally in India (Karnataka, Meghalaya and Sikkim), Malaya and Java but rare. Flowers dioecious.

5. Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng.: occurs naturally in India (Assam, Nagaland, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal), Burma, Malaya, Formosa, China, Philippines and Pacific islands; cultivated in north Kanara. Flowers dioecious.

6. Momordicaa denudata (Thw.) Cl.: West coast of peninsular India and Sri Lanka.

7. Momordica macrophylla Gage: India (Assam), Burma and Malaysia.

        Momordica cymbalaria Fenzl ex Naudin (=Momordica tuberosa (Roxb.) Cognaux): occurs naturally in western peninsular India and tropical Africa; cultivated in Sholapur, Iagatpuri and Sattara. Flowers monoecious.

        This species should be excluded from Momordica as it was restored to the genus Luffa, as Luffa tuberosa Roxb., by Chakravarty (1982) who accepted the treatment by Roxburgh (1832).

        In addition to the species mentioned, above Momordica foetidaSchum. & Thonn., occurs wild and in cultivation in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

1. Momordica charantia:

        BENG:Karela, Kash; ENG:Balsam pear, Bitter gourd; HIN:Karela, Kareli; KAN:Halal; MAL:Kaippa, Kaippakka, Kaippavalli, Mitipagal, Pavel, Pullayini, Rajavalli; MAR:Karle; SANS:Karkotakee, Karavalli, Karavella, Karavellaka, Katika, Sushavi, Vishakantaki; TAM:Pagel, Pavakkai; TEL:Kakara kayi

2. Momordica dioica:

        BENG:Ban-karela; HIN:Kaksa, Golkandra; KAN:Karlikai; MAR:Kartoli; SANS:Vahisi; TAM:Thollopavai, Paluppakal; TEL:Aagakara

3. Momordica balsamina:

ENG:Balsam apple; HIN:Mokha