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Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng.
| Family Name: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Synonyms: | Muricia cochinchinensis, Buyok buyok, Momordica macrophylla, Momordica mixta, Momordica ovata |
| Common Name: | Gac Fruit, Da Gac, Spiny Bitter-Cucumber, Chinese Bitter-Cucumber, Chinese-Cucumber, Giant Spiny Gourd, Cochinchin Gourd, Teruah, Torobuk, Pupia, 木鳖, 土木鳖, 木鳖瓜, 大叶木鳖子, 藤桐 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Northeastern India, South China, Taiwan, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, Northern Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A dioecious climber with tendrils and can grow up to 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are 3 – 5 lobed with toothed margin. 2 (or 4) glands are present on the petiole. Leaves emit an odour when crushed. |
| Flowers | Male and female flower are borne on different individuals of the plant. Flower bud is hidden inside a bag –like appendage that, as time passes, splits into two to reveal the bud within. Each flower has 5 pale yellow petals with a black spot in the middle of the flower. Female flower, after being pollinated by male flower, will produce fruit. |
| Fruit | Fruit is round or oblong (about 15 – 20 cm long), turning from green to yellow to dark orange when matured. Numerous small spines are present on the fruit surface. Pulp inside the fruit is reddish orange. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Momordica’ means "to bite", referring to the etched, bitten appearance of seeds produced by plants of this genus. Species epithet 'cochinchinensis' refers to Cochinchina, an old name for Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia, one of the places where this plant is naturally distributed. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves, Edible Stems Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The red pulp is used as red colourant and flavour to make ‘xoi gac’, a traditional rice dish commonly served during weddings and celebrations in Vietnam. Pulp has a nutty after taste and temporarily dyes lips and tongue bright orange. Young leaves and shoot can also be eaten when cooked. (Herb or Spice) Medicinal: Fruit and seed are used in folk medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Vertical Greenery / Green Wall |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Unknown / Unselect |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Storage Organ |
| Propagule Establishment Remarks | Pierce hard seed coat and soak seeds overnight in warm water, before sowing. |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Can be propagated by tuberous roots. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Cream / Off-White |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Modification | Foliar Tendril |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Root Tuber) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Ovary Position | Inferior / Epipgynous |
| Flowering Period | Once Yearly |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Pepo |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29132 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3441 |
| 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. |
