An annual, climbing not extensively, sparingly scabrous pilose, tendrils 2-fid. Leaves l-2in. diam., cordate reniform, orbicular, entire or obscurely 5-angular or 5-lobed, or cut almost to the base into 5 narrow sinuate-pinnatifid segments, dentate ; petiole l-2in. Male peduncles normally paired, one 1-flowered, the other racemed very long, 6-in. or more, pedicel lin. Flowers small, white, without bracts. Filaments 3, 2 with 2-celled anthers. Peduncle of the solitary female very short. Fruit 1¼ by ⅝in., ellipsoid densely covered with bristles ; ribs
not visible ; spines ¼in., ciliate ; stopple without spines, Calyx- teeth persistent. Seeds 1/5in., many slightly scabrous.
Uses : — In the Concan, a few grains of the bitter fibrous contents of the fruit are given in infusion for snake-bite and in cholera after each stool ; in putrid fevers, the infusion is applied to the whole body, and in jaundice it is applied to the head and also given internally ; the infusion has also a reputation as a remedy for colic (Dymock).
The fruit is considered in North India as a powerful remedy for dropsy (O'Shaughnessy). The fruit has purgative properties (S. Arjun).
535. Benicassa cerifera, Savi., h.f.b.i., ii. 616.
Syn. :— Cucurbita Pepo, Roxb, 700
Eng : — The white melon.
Sans. : — Kûshmânda, Kûsh-paândaha.
Vern:— Pethâ, gol-kaddû (Pb.) ; Kumrâ, châlkumrâ (B.) ; Gôl-kaddû, kudîmah, kônhdâ, kumrhâ, pêthâ, phûthîâ (H.) ; Kumhrâ, bhunja (Kumaon) ; Kohalâ, Dângar, Bhopala (Mar.) ; Kûshmând, kohula (Cutch) ; Bhûru-kolu, koholu (Guz.) ; Kohala, koholen, gôlkadû, Pandri chicki (Bom.) ; Gol-kuddu (Sind.) ; Kaliyâna-pûshinik-kây (Tam.) ; Burda-gûmûdû, bûdide gummadi, pendli-gummadi-kâya (Tel.) ; Kumpalannâ ; Kumpalam (Mal.) ; Bûde-kumbala-kâyi (Kan).
Habitat : — Cultivated throughout India.
A large annual climber, softly hairy, tendrils 2-fid. Leaves 4-6in. diam., cordate, reniform orbicular, more or less 5-lobed.
