Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt.

 

Family – Cucurbitaceae

Synonym – Bryonia grandis L.; Cephalandra grandis (L.) Kurz; Cephalandra indica Naudin; Coccinia indica Wight & Arn. 

Vernacular names – Kova; Koval

Habit – Climber

Habitat – Dry deciduous forests and wastelands, also cultivated

Distribution – Tropical Africa, Tropical & Subtropical Asia

Flowering and Fruiting – December-April

Key Identification Features – This perennial shrub has long stems with simple tendrils. Its leaves are alternate, palmately 3-5-lobed or angled, and broadly ovate to orbicular in outline. The flowers are axillary and solitary. Male flowers have a white campanulate corolla, while female flowers have a glandular pubescent ovary. The fruit is ovoid-oblong with red pulp, and the seeds are oblong and compressed.

Uses - It is a culinary vegetable, grown for its edible shoots and fruits. The ripe fruits can be eaten raw, while unripe ones are used in curries.