balsampear
Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd.
Momordica dioica is a flowering plant in the Cucurbitaceae family, commonly known as balsampear. It is a dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The plant produces small, dark green, round or oval fruits and is propagated through underground tubers.
Description
Momordica dioica, known as balsampear, is native to regions including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Bangladesh, the East and West Himalaya, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It features small leaves and yellow flowers. The plant is cultivated and grows in tropical and subtropical climates. Its fruits are small and dark green. The species was first described in 1805 by Willd., based on earlier work by Roxb.
Other common names
spine gourdbalsampear
Distribution
Andaman Is. · Assam · Bangladesh · East Himalaya · India · Myanmar · Nepal · Nicobar Is. · Pakistan · Sri Lanka · West Himalaya
Synonyms
Momordica trilobataMomordica missionisMomordica hamiltonianaMomordica heyneanaTrichosanthes russelianaMomordica sicyoidesMomordica wallichiiMomordica roxburghiiMomordica trilobaMomordica hispidaMomordica tuberosa
