Momordica elaterium Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1010. 1753.

Roots elongate, robust. Stem ca. 1.5 m, scabrous. Petiole somewhat robust, 5-15 cm, densely setose; leaf blade ovate-oblong or hastate, 8-20 × 6-15 cm, scabrous, abaxially white pubescent, adaxially white setose, margin sinuous or slightly divided, apex slightly obtuse; sinus semicircular, sometimes truncate. Male flowers in a raceme; peduncle densely yellow-brown pubescent and setose; pedicels filiform, 1-3 cm; calyx segments lanceolate, 5-6 × 1.2-2 mm, densely pubescent and hispid; corolla yellow, ca. 3 cm in diam.; segments ovate-oblong; filaments ca. 3 mm, base villous. Fruit oblong or ovoid-oblong, 4-5 × 1.5-2.5 cm, scabrous, yellow-brown hispid, both ends obtuse. Seeds ca. 4 mm.

Dry mountain slopes, grasslands. Xinjiang [native to SW Asia and Mediterranean region].