Momordica cochinchinensis

Momordica cochinchinensis

Momordica cochinchinensis is a type of perennial melon grown throughout Southeast Asian countries and Northeastern Australia. Gấc is notable for its orange-reddish color resulting from its rich content of beta-carotene and lycopene.

Uses

wounds, skin infections and burns, new skin and the healing of wounds.

Parts Used

Fruits, Leaves.

Chemical Composition

Gac fruit, seeds, and seed oil contain substantial amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene which collectively impart the characteristic red-orange color to the fruit's tissues. Both aril and seeds are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with oil containing 69% unsaturated fats, including 35% as polyunsaturated fats. Gac has a high concentration of linoleic acid (omega-6) and omega-3 fatty acids.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada
Hindi	ककुर Kakur, कंटोला Kantola, ककरोल Kakrol
Malayalam	Kshudramalakasanda
Tamil
Telugu	Varivalli
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	Katamala
English	Chinese Cucumber, Spiny bitter-cucumber, Chinese bitter-cucumber

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Habit

Herbs

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Simple	round in outline	1.5-5.0 cm long and as broad, heart-shaped at base, hairless or sparsely hairy, 3-5-lobed, middle lobes broadly ovate or rhombic-ovate

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Bisexual	broadly ovate-heart-shaped	cream white		2.5-3.0 cm across, stalked. Male flowers are solitary, on 1.5 cm long flower-cluster-stalk, bearing near the tip a stalkless

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
Simple Fruit	ovoid	2-7 cm long, 1-2.5 cm broad	orange-red		{{{6}}}

Mode of Propagation

Seeds.

How to plant/cultivate

Maximum insect-aided pollination, the recommended ratio is about 1 male for every 10 female plants. If propagating from vines, farmers make diagonal cut (around 15–20 centimetres (6–8 in) long and 3–6 millimetres (0.1–0.2 in) wide), then root the tubers in water or well-aerated, moist potting media before planting. Apart from Southeast Asian countries where the fruits are native, gac can be grown in sub-tropical climate regions. Cool temperatures inhibit growth.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Lowland forest.

Photo Gallery

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External Links

• flowers of india

• Momordica cochinchinensis