Momordica angustisepala

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Momordica bracteata

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 Cucurbitaleales, it is classified under the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Momordica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Momordica angustisepala, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. It is found within West Tropical Africa, specifically documented in the countries of Benin and Ghana. Additionally, its presence extends through the West Tropical Africa region to include Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Beyond West Africa, the species also inhabits the West-Central Tropical Africa zone. Specifically, its geographical range encompasses the nation of Cameroon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Momordica angustisepala is characterized by its growth habit as a vine, functioning as a liana that requires external support to ascend. It is classified as an obligatory climber, meaning it relies on specialized structures to navigate its environment rather than being self-supporting. In terms of its structural composition, the plant is non-woody, maintaining a herbaceous texture throughout its climbing stems.

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Momordica angustisepala is characterized by its metabolic processes as a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, primarily focusing on its photosynthetic pathways and nutrient acquisition strategies. As a non-leguminous climbing herb, the plant does not possess specialized root nodules for symbiotic relationships with rhizobia; consequently, it is not a nitrogen fixer, as indicated by its lack of the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms (nitrogen fix: no). Instead, its physiological growth is heavily dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. The plant manages its water potential and gas exchange through stomatal regulation, facilitating the carbon fixation necessary for biomass production. Its metabolic activity is further driven by the synthesis of secondary metabolites, which are integrated into its physiological defense mechanisms to ensure survival in its specific ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Momordica angustisepala is characterized by its sexual processes, which are heavily dependent on the presence of specific floral structures. The plant exhibits a distinct reproductive strategy where self-fertilization is absent, meaning that the successful development of seeds relies on the transfer of pollen between different flowers or different plants to ensure genetic diversity. This absence of self-fertilization indicates that the species typically functions through cross-pollination, requiring external vectors such as insects to facilitate the movement of pollen from the anthers to the stigma. Consequently, the reproductive success of this plant is closely tied to the availability of pollinators and the spatial distribution of its individual plants within its habitat.

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Momordica angustisepala 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Momordica angustisepala has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient.

Abortifacient

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Momordica angustisepala has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous extract of the root.

Aqueous extract of the root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology