Colocynth

Citrullus colocynthis

Perennial trailing herb with a tuberous rootstock and scabrous stems.

Leaves with lamina 2–10 cm long, 2–7 cm wide, palmately 3–5-lobed to pinnately 5–9-lobed; petiole 1–6 cm long, scabrous.

Male flowers on pedicels 1–2 cm long, petals c. 7 mm long, greenish yellow. Female flowers on pedicels 1–4 cm long, petals 6–10 mm long.

Fruit ± globose, 5–12 cm diam., glabrous, green mottled with yellow or yellow when ripe.