Madras Pea Pumpkin

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Madras Pea Pumpkin
• Madras pea pumpkin (Cucumis maderaspatanus)
• Mukia maderaspatana

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mukia celebica
• Mukia scabrella
• Coccinia cordifolia
• Melothria maderaspatana
• Bryonia maderaspatana
• Mukia maderaspatana
• Bryonia scabrella
• Bryonia cordifolia
• Bryonia gracilis
• Bryonia hispida
• Bryonia micrantha
• Bryonia micropoda
• Bryonia obtusa
• Melothria celebica
• Mukia rottleri
• Bryonia rottleri

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Cucurbitaleales in the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Cucumis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Within this area, its presence has been specifically documented in the nation of Benin. It can also be found growing in the territories of Burkina and Gambia. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cucumis maderaepatanus is defined by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, reflecting a versatile adaptation to diverse topographical landscapes. This species occupies a significant vertical span within its habitat, ranging from low-lying areas starting at an elevation of 45 m AMSL to much higher montane environments reaching a maximum of 1800 m AMSL. Such an extensive elevational range suggests that the plant can tolerate varied climatic conditions, including fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure associated with different mountain strata. This wide distribution allows it to colonize a variety of ecological niches, from tropical lowland zones to cooler, more temperate highland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

45 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cucumis maderaepatanus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological strategy and structural habit, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form defined by plants that survive unfavorable seasons as ephemeral seeds, rapidly producing a complete generation once environmental conditions become favorable. This classification as a therophyte encompasses its roles as both a nanophanerophyte and a specialized seasonal grower, ensuring its persistence in its native habitats through rapid maturation and prolific seed dispersal before the onset of senescence.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cucumis maderae-spatanus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a vine. As an obligatory climber, the plant utilizes a trailing habit to navigate its environment, though it maintains an independent lifestyle as a non-parasitic organism. It is a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, growing directly in soil. In terms of vertical development, the plant exhibits a height range that varies significantly, with a minimum height of 0 m and a maximum height reaching 1 m, though the mean height is recorded at approximately 2 m depending on the specific environmental conditions and support structures available.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cucumis madagascariensis is characterized by its specialized metabolic pathways designed for rapid growth and resource acquisition in competitive environments. As a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, it exhibits a complex photosynthetic mechanism that facilitates high rates of carbon assimilation to support its sprawling vegetative structure. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant does not possess the symbiotic capabilities required for biological nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Instead, its physiological processes rely heavily on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through an extensive, opportunistic root system. This reliance on external soil nitrogen necessitates high mineral availability to sustain its protein synthesis and chlorophyll production, as it lacks the intrinsic ability to augment its own nitrogen supply through atmospheric fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cucumis maderapatanus is characterized by specific seed morphology and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces seeds with a notable range of sizes, where the mass fluctuates between a minimum of 0.00491 g and a maximum of 0.01419 g, resulting in an average seed mass of 0.00983 g. Regarding its propagation strategy, the species primarily utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the movement and distribution of its seeds within the environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass max:

0.01419 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00983 g

Seed mass min:

0.00491 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cucumis maderaspatanus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces

Chemicals

Cucumis maderaspatanus has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Saponins, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Phenols

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Saponins

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Tannins

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Terpenoids

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

vitamin C

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Activities

Cucumis maderaspatanus has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Cucumis maderaspatanus has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf extract.

Leaf extract

1. Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces