532 FLORA OF MADRAS. [Momordica. 



3 in., 5-7-lobed, the end lobes long and acute ; fruit ovoid, rostrate,,, 

 covered with triangular papillae 6. denudata. 



1. MOMORDICA CHARANTIA, Linn.; F. B. I. ii. 616; W. & A. 

 348 ; Wt. Ic. t. 504. 



All plains Districts, cultivated and commonly found run 



wild. 



A slender twining annual herb with pale yellow flowers 



and an edible fruit of a bright orange colour, with crimson 



pulp, and covered with raised tubercles. Yern. Hind. 



Karela; Tarn. Pava kai. 



2. MOMORDICA DIOICA, Roxb. ; F. B. I. ii. 617 ; W. & A. 348; 

 Wt. Ic. tt. 505, 506. 



Plains Districts of the Camatic and W. Coast, in the hills 



up to 4,000 ft. 



A perennial tuberous-rooted climber with yellow flowers- 



and an orange-coloured muricate fruit, up to about 2 in, 



long, sometimes eaten, as are the tubers. Yern. Tel. 



Puagakara. 



3. MOMORDICA SUBANGULATA, Bl.; Cogn. Monog. 443. 



W. Ghats, from S. Canara to Wynaad, up to 3,000 ft. 



A pretty climber with large yellowish petals conspicuously 



veined. 



4. MOMORDICA COCHINCHINENSIS, Spr.; F. B. I. ii. 618. M. 

 mfata, Roxb. ; W. & A. 349. 



Deccan and W. Ghats, in S. Canara and Mysore. 



A handsome large climber with large petals, creamy-white 



tinged with yellow, and black claws ; fruit bright red, 



ovoid, 4-5 in. long, covered with conical points, seeds very 



large. 



5. MOMORDICA TUBEROSA, Cogn. M. Cymbalaria, Fenzl; 

 F. B. I. ii. 618. Lu/a tuberosa, Roxb.; W. & A. 1068. 



Deccan and Carnatic, in Mysore, Bellary and Anantapur 

 and down to Tinnevelly, on black cotton soil. 

 A trailing plant with herbaceous shoots from a large 

 tuberous rootstock, petals white, tinged pale yellow, fruit 

 dark green and ribbed, about 1 in. long, said to be edible. 



6. MOMORDICA DENUDATA, Thw.; F. B. I. ii. 618. 



W. Coast, at Quilon in Travancore (Wight\ 

 A slender climber with membranous leaves. 



