Momordica foetida

Perennial herb. Stems prostrate or scandent, pubescent at nodes. Tendrils simple or 2-fid. Leaves ovate-triangular, deeply cordate. Flowers dioecious. Male flowers fasciculate at the apex, broad bract enclosing the buds when large, lobes ovate – triangular, rounded at the apex, convex and often with a few short soft spines in the lower part outside, shortly ciliate near the apex, white, cream, yellow or orange, marked with black at the base. Female flowers lobes triangular to strap-shaped, acute, obtuse, rounded or somewhat dilated and green at the apex, black at the base, petals similar to those of male flowers. Fruit ovoid or ellipsoid, softly spiny, bright orange, dehiscent. Seeds enveloped in bright red pulp, flattened, margin grooved.