Cucumis maderaspatanus L.

 

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Synonym: Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn., Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M.Roem.

Vernacular name: Kasappuchedi, Mukkalppeeram, Mukkapperam

 Habit: Climber

 Habitat:  Dry deciduous forests

Distribution:                     India, Africa, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Myanmar, Philippines, Taiwan

Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout the year

Key identification features: Prostrate or climbing scabrid herbs, with simple tendrils. Male flowers form axillary, sessile clusters, with yellow petals. Female flowers occur singly or in clusters, with a villous ovary. The berry is globose and red, with lenticular, rugose seeds.

Uses: Mukia maderaspatana is used as fodder for livestock due to its palatability and nutritional content.