Wild Balsam Apple

10/22/2012 Long Key Nature Center, Davie

10/22/2012 Long Key Nature Center, Davie

Wild Balsam Apple = Momordica charantia

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Highly climbing vine, the stem has curly tendrils 

that wrap around whatever it can to support.

The yellow flower 1 1/4" and Fruit orange 5" 

the mature orange rind splits and expose

the red seeds,  ripe fruit and seeds are toxic.

花は小さくて可憐なのですが、まるでゴム製のおもちゃのような

オレンジ色の実、自然にオープンすると中には真っ赤な種、

というのはちょっとドギツイ感じです。

10/22/2012 Long Key Nature Center, Davie