Bitter Melon

An annual climbing vine in the gourd family. Known as 'Tsuru-reishi' in standard Japanese, commonly called 'Goya' or 'Nigauri'. Native to tropical Asia. The fruit is covered with bumpy protrusions and has a distinctive bitter taste. Famous as an ingredient in Okinawan stir-fry (goya champuru).

Identification Points

• ✓Fruit covered with warty bumps, green when immature
• ✓Climbs by tendrils
• ✓Splits open orange when ripe, revealing red aril-covered seeds

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionウリ科 →