No images found for this plant ID: 11329.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "11329" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

Safe for Dogs?

Safe for Cats?

Safe for Reptiles?

coccinia

Scientific Name: Coccinia

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Coccinia grandis: The Ivy Gourd

The plant known as Ivy Gourd, Coccinia grandis, is a fascinating and versatile species with a rich history and widespread distribution.

Common Names

  • Ivy Gourd
  • Scarlet Gourd
  • Tendli (India)
  • Baby Watermelon
  • Little Gourd
  • Gentleman's Toes
  • Tindora
  • Gherkin (misleading)
  • Ken (locally)
  • Kovakka (locally)
  • Tam Lung

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt
  • Family: Cucurbitaceae (Gourd Family)
  • Kingdom: Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
  • Synonyms:
    • Coccinia indica Wight & Arn.
    • Coccinia cordifolia (Auct.)
    • Coccinia cordifolia auct. non (L.) Cogn.
    • Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn.
    • Bryonia alceifolia Willd.
    • Bryonia grandis L.
    • Cephalandra indica Naudin
    • Cepha landra indica (Wight & Arn.) Naudin nom. illeg.
    • Bryonia grandis L.
    • C. medica

Distribution and Habitat

  • Coccinia grandis is distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia.
  • It is widely distributed throughout the tropics.
  • It can be found in both wild and cultivated states on the plains.
  • It also grows wild in the Indian subcontinent and may be found in forests and fields.

Ecological Role

  • Coccinia grandis can be invasive.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Coccinia grandis is a perennial climbing herb.
  • It is a dioecious species, meaning that male and female flowers are on separate plants.
  • It is a perennial growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
  • It is a creeper and twin with tuberous roots.
  • It flowers from August to September.