Coccinia intermedia
Coccinia intermedia Holstein
Coccinia intermedia is a perennial, diclinous climber in the Cucurbitaceae family, native to West Africa (Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo). Described in 2011 by Holstein, it is distinguished by its intermediate ecological habitat and unique morphological traits. Shoots may reach several meters in length and develop a whitish bark. Leaves are 5-lobed, with glabrous surfaces and pustules. Male flowers occur in few-flowered racemes, while female flowers are clustered. The fruit is elliptical to oblong, ripening from green to orange or red.
Description
Coccinia intermedia is a perennial climber with glabrous, lignified shoots that may reach several meters in length. Leaves are 6–15 x 7–18 cm, 5-lobed, with glabrous upper and lower surfaces; the lower surface often has small dark glands. Petioles are 2.8–10.8 cm long, with pustules on older parts. Tendrils are simple or bifid. Male flowers are in few-flowered racemes with glabrous pedicels and a pale reddish-yellow to yellow corolla. Female flowers are 1–3 clustered, with glabrous pedicels. The fruit is 4.5 x 2.5 cm, elliptical to oblong, with longitudinal mottling when unripe and likely ripening to orange or red. The species is named for its intermediate habitat between semi-arid and humid regions in West Africa.
Distribution
Benin · Ghana · Ivory Coast · Togo
