Ivy Gourd

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ivy gourd
• little gourd
• scarlet gourd

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cephalandra grandis
• Cephalandra schimperi
• Coccinia cordifolia var. alceifolia
• Cephalandra indica var. palmata
• Luffa moghadd
• Cucumis pavel
• Cucurbita schimperiana
• Bryonia grandis
• Bryonia moimoi
• Bryonia barbata
• Bryonia acerifolia
• Bryonia alceifolia
• Cephalandra moghadd
• Momordica monadelpha
• Momordica bicolor
• Momordica covel
• Coccinia moghadd
• Coccinia palmatisecta
• Coccinia loureiroana
• Cucurbita dioica
• Coccinia helenae
• Coccinia moimoi
• Coccinia schimperi
• Cucumis sativus var. arakis
• Turia moghadd
• Coccinia cordifolia var. wightiana
• Coccinia grandis var. quinqueangularis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is classified under the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Coccinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Coccinia grandis, exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving toward the western coastal regions, the species is widely distributed throughout West Tropical Africa. Specific countries where it can be found include Benin, Gambia, and Ghana. Furthermore, its range extends into the West Tropical African nation of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coccinia grandis is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse environmental settings, specifically preferring habitats that consist of both open areas and forest ecosystems. This plant demonstrates a distinct altitudinal distribution, primarily occupying mid-elevation zones. Its presence is recorded within an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 700 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1100 m AMSL. While the specific mean elevation recorded in data sets is noted at 0 m AMSL, its ecological niche is clearly defined by these specific montane and sub-montane transitional boundaries between open landscapes and forested environments.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

0 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Habitat :

open, forest

Genetics

The genetics of Coccinia grandis are characterized by a specific karyological profile that defines its reproductive and evolutionary stability. A fundamental aspect of its genomic structure is its diploid chromosome number, which is recorded as 24. This chromosomal count serves as a key cytogenetic marker for the species, influencing its inheritance patterns and phenotypic expression. The stability of this 2n=24 configuration plays a crucial role in the plant's ability to maintain genetic continuity during asexual and sexual reproduction, providing a blueprint for the complex physiological and medicinal traits expressed throughout its development.

Chromosome number :

24

Life history

The life history of Coccinia grandis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte through its growth habits that keep its buds elevated above the ground level. This life form enables the plant to maintain its vegetative vigor and reproductive potential over an extended period, ensuring long-term establishment within its habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coccinia grandis is characterized by its growth as a non-woody, terrestrial herb and forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing a vine-like habit to ascend supports. The plant displays a significant vertical reach, with a maximum height of 13 meters and a mean plant height of approximately 14.33 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior and maintains an independent existence, functioning as a non-parasitic organism within its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

13 m

Plant height mean:

14.3333333333333 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Coccinia grandis is characterized by specific morphological adaptations in its foliage and metabolic processes. The leaves exhibit a notable range in size, with lengths varying from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, while the width typically spans between 4 cm and 10 cm. These dimensions support the plant's photosynthetic capacity and surface area requirements for energy production. In terms of water storage and tissue structure, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating that it relies on standard hydration strategies rather than specialized water-storing parenchyma. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, necessitating the uptake of nitrogen directly from the soil through its root system.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Coccinia grandis is characterized by a dioecious sexual system, meaning that male and female flowers are borne on separate individual plants, and self-fertilization is entirely absent. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects as the primary pollinators to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that range in length from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.01246 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00765 g to a maximum of 0.01948 g) and a length measuring between 6 mm and 7 mm. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Fruit length max:

6 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed length max:

7 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.01948 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01246 g

Seed mass min:

0.00765 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Coccinia grandis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, root.

Leaf

1. Planta medica
2. Human & experimental toxicology
3. Scientific reports
4. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
5. Bangladesh Medical Research Council bulletin

Fruit

1. Planta medica

Root

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Coccinia grandis has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 29-hydroxylupeol, 5-Methylcytosine, AMYLASE, Ash, Asparagic acid.

29-hydroxylupeol

1. Dr. Duke

5-Methylcytosine

1. Dr. Duke

AMYLASE

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Asparagic acid

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Ancient science of life

Cucurbitacin B

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Coccinia grandis has 298 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antihyperglycemic, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
3. Bangladesh Medical Research Council bulletin
4. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Human & experimental toxicology
3. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
4. Biomolecules & therapeutics

Antihyperglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Coccinia grandis has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Atopic dermatitis, anti-oxidant, apoptosis, blood glucose, diabetes complications.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations