Trichosanthes borneensis

Primary tabs

Trichosanthes borneensis

Description

Climber, 6(-20) m long, finely brown hairy, early glabrescent, leafy stem 2-5 mm diam.; Leaves: Fruit ripening orange-red, paler speckled or faintly striped, (depressed-)globose, 3.5-10 by 5-9 cm, apex obtuse (not beaked); Seeds black, compressed, (narrowly) elliptic, 13-20 by 5-7 by 3 mm, base truncate or ± obtuse, apex obtuse, margin faint, edge entire.

Distribution

Asia-Tropical: Borneo present (Kalimantan present, Sabah present, Sarawak present); Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present, Singapore present); Sumatera (Sumatera present)
Malesia: Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo (Kalimantan, Sarawak, Sabah).

Morphology

The distal part of the fruiting pedicel apparently belongs morphologically to the fruit.

Uses

Used as a medicine (Gimlette s.n., Peninsular Malaysia); the tuberous root is incorporated in dart poison (Gadoh anak Umbai KL 1771).

Citation

W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes 2001 – In: Beaman et al., Pl. Mt. Kinabalu: 210
Cogn. 2004 – In: Sandakania: 17
Rugayah 1999: Trichosanthes (Cucurbitaceae) in Malesia, thesis: 135
Rugayah & W.J.de Wilde 1999 – In: Reinwardtia: 251