Momordica balsamina

Balsam apple
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Cucurbitaceae
Genus:	Momordica
Species:	M. balsamina
Binomial name
	Momordica balsamina;

Momordica balsamina also known as the Balsam Apple, Cundeamor, or Southern Balsampear or simply Balsam Pear, is a curious, tendril-bearing annual vine native to the tropical regions of Africa, introduced and invasive in Asia, Australia, and Central America. Although the pale yellow, deeply veined flowers of the Balsam Apple have a subtle beauty, its round, somewhat warty, bright orange fruits, or "Apples", are its most distinguishing feature. When ripe, the fruits burst apart, revealing numerous seeds covered with a brilliant scarlet, extremely sticky coating. The Balsam Apple was introduced into Europe by 1568 and was used medicinally to treat wounds. In 1810 Thomas Jefferson planted this vine in his flower borders at Monticello along with larkspur, poppies, and nutmeg Plant.

While the leaves are safe to eat, the seeds can be toxic if too many are ingested. Although they^[who?] do sell Balsam supplements, like all things moderation is key^{[citation needed]}.

In Mozambique, this plant is known as cacana and in rural areas it is used as an anti-malarial. People usually drink water from its boiled leaves and young fruit to treat malaria.^{[citation needed]}

Confusion with related species

There seems to be confusion, even in "official sources" between M. balsamina L. ("Balsam Apple") and its cousin, M. charantia L. ("Balsam Pear/Bitter Melon/Chinese Cucumber")¹, as evidenced by this reference (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/balsam+apple)² in which M. charantia is depicted in the picture, but referenced by the common name of M. balsamina (Balsam Apple). The two plants are cousins of the Family "Cucurbitaceae," of which cucumbers are also members.^6,1,5,3

Within this article, above, the reference to the Philippine specialty (Ampalaya) is NOT M. balsamina but "Bitter Melon" or "Balsam Pear" or M. charantia ¹ Even a UFL EDIS page (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fw028)³ [incorrectly] references the "Balsam Apple" as M. charantia and not as Balsamina L. The two fruits look quite different from one another, and more importantly, the Balsam Apple has poisonous properties. M. balsamina is usually small, about the size and shape of a Pecan with hull, yellow/orange/red in color as it ripens, where as M. charantia is long, curvy, ridged and green, with the appearance of a warty, curly cucumber. Common sense will guide you in identification: M. balsamina = Balsam Apple = Usually "Round-fruited" (vs. long) = poison properties (like the poison apple of Eden); M. charantia = cucumber-like (long, green).^{[citation needed]} One should be careful if considering the edibleness of any parts of M. balsamina ^4,5, especially as there is much "copied" disinformation found on the web.