Momordica foetida

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Momordica foetida var. villosa
• Momordica vogelii
• Momordica cucullata
• Momordica morkorra
• Momordica schimperiana
• Momordica mannii
• Momordica cordifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Momordica foetida, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with the genus Momordica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the West Tropical Africa region. Within this specific area, its presence is documented in Benin and Ghana. The species can also be found throughout the territory of Guinea. Furthermore, its natural habitat extends into Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical distribution includes the nation of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Momordica foetida is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, reflecting its adaptability to varying environmental conditions. This species is typically found inhabiting landscapes spanning an elevational range from a minimum of 275 m AMSL to a maximum of 1700 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution allows the plant to occupy various ecological niches, from lower, warmer tropical foothills to higher, more temperate montane regions. Within these altitudinal limits, its presence is often dictated by local microclimates, soil compositions, and moisture availability, enabling it to persist in a variety of habitats across its geographic range.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

275 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Momordica foetida is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte categories, which reflects its ability to maintain its buds or reproductive structures above the ground level.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Momordica foetida is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory climbing vine. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, nor does it act as a parasite, maintaining an independent existence. The plant displays significant variation in its vertical dimension, with a minimum height of 1 m, a maximum height of 5 m, and a mean height of approximately 3.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3.75 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Momordica foetida is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies adapted to its climbing growth habit. As a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, its primary physiological driver is photosynthesis, facilitated by a complex arrangement of chlorophyll within its foliage to convert solar energy into chemical energy. The plant exhibits distinct transpiration rates governed by stomatal conductance, which regulates gas exchange and water retention during varying environmental conditions. Regarding its nutrient cycling and symbiotic capabilities, the plant does not possess the physiological mechanisms required for biological nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and enzymatic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Momordica foetida is characterized by a flexible phenological cycle and specific biological mechanisms for seed development and distribution. The flowering period is highly variable, spanning throughout the year from January to December, with October serving as a key transitional month for both the onset and conclusion of flowering. Similarly, the fruiting cycle exhibits significant variability across the months, with October also acting as a notable period for fruit development. In terms of pollination biology, the plant exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. The seeds produced are remarkably uniform in size, maintaining a consistent mean, minimum, and maximum mass of 0.08992 g. Once mature, the dispersal of these seeds follows an autochorous syndrome, meaning the plant utilizes an internal mechanism for seed dispersal, such as the explosive release of seeds from the fruit, to facilitate its spread in the environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruiting time :

Oct

Seed mass mean:

0.08992 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Momordica foetida has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Tropical medicine and health

Chemicals

Momordica foetida has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM, IRON, MAGNESIUM, Momordicoside E, ZINC.

CALCIUM

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

IRON

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

MAGNESIUM

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Momordicoside E

1. Fitoterapia

ZINC

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

ascorbic acid

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

quercetin

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Momordica foetida has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Anthelmintic, Antiplasmodial.

Abortifacient

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Anthelmintic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Momordica foetida has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Salmonella, candidiasis, fevers, inflammations.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations