Momordica dioica

Momordica dioica, commonly known as spiny gourd or spine gourd^[2] or teasle gourd and also known as bristly balsam pear,^[3] is a species of flowering plant in the Cucurbitaceae/gourd family. It is propagated by underground tubers. It has small leaves, small yellow flowers, it has small, dark green, round or oval fruits. It is dioecious, which means that it has distinct male and female individual organisms, hence its name.^[4]

Momordica dioica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Cucurbitaceae
Genus:	Momordica
Species:	M. dioica
Binomial name
Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Momordica dioeca Roxb. Momordica hamiltoniana Wall. ex G.Don Momordica heyneana Wall. ex G.Don Momordica hispida Dennst. Momordica missionis Wall. Momordica sicyoides Ser. Momordica trilobata Wight ex Steud. Momordica tuberosa Dennst. Momordica wallichii M.Roem. Trichosanthes russeliana Wall. ex G.Don

Uses

Momordica dioica is used as a vegetable in all regions of India and in South Asia. It has commercial importance and is exported and used locally. The fruits are cooked with spices, or fried and sometimes eaten with meat or fish.

Gallery

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  Halves and cross sections
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  Flower
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  Affected by insects.