|
Vine, climbs by tendrils Leaves are alternate, soft and lightly
hairy. Leaves are deeply lobed with five lobes. (Length about 3 cm)
Yellow flowers arise from leaf axils as do tendrils. Flower has five
petals, bright orange small cluters of pistils and stamen at center.
(Diameter about 1.5 cm) Pods are oval tapering to a point with rows
of little spikes, green turning orange as they mature. Exploded pods
show bright orange peels and four red seeds. Inside is sticky. Pod
length (about 2.5 cm) Stem is hairy, very hairy at terminal
end.Needs full sun.
Propagate from seeds.
Medical use : Leaves in capsule form as hypoglycemic. Leaves as
emmenagogue, laxative and antipyretic.Apply for burns. and
inflammation, counters dermatitis. Leaf juice for cough,
parasiticide, vulnerary. Juice from green fruit for colitis and
bacillary dysentery. Whole plant for the treatment of diabetes,
emetic, for skin diseases, sterility in women, for chronic ulcers of
the stomach. |
