Coccinia grandis
From Bugwoodwiki
Contents |
|
Overview
- Appearance
- Coccinia grandis is a perennial herbaceous vine. Also known as baby watermelon, it can grow up to 9 ft. (2.7 m) in length. In one day, it can grow up to 4 in. (10.2 cm).
- Foliage
- The stems are mostly glabrous and produced annually from a tuberous rootstock. The tendrils are simple and axillary. The alternate leaves are simple with the blade broadly ovate, 5-lobed, 2-3.5 in. (5-9 cm) x 1.6-3.5 in. (4-9 cm). Foliar surfaces are glabrous or scaly.
- Flowers
- The five petaled white flowers are about 1.2-1.8 in. (3-4.5 cm) long. They bloom from August-September.
- Fruit
- The fruit are smooth, bright red and ovoid to ellipsoid berries about 1-2.4 in. (2.5-6 cm) long.
- Ecological Threat
- Coccinia grandis vines grow over and smother vegetation, and cover fences and power lines. Infestations of Coccinia grandis threatens both natural and managed areas. It is difficult to control because plants regrow from deep roots, even after treatment with herbicide. It is native to Africa and Asia.
Resources
Global Invasive Species Database. 2011. Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission [1]
Natural Resources Conservation Service [2]
USDA NRCS PLANTS [3]
USDA ARS GRIN [4]
Images from Bugwood.org
