oikos : for Ecological Services

July - 2010
Dear Nature Lovers, Greetings from oikos ! Our forests are rich in forest-food species. Most of the edible species sprout during early monsoon and are used as vegetables. Kartoli is one such fruit which popular as vegetable. These forest food plants are most nutritious and medicinal, but are neglected due to hybrid vegetables easily available in market, also they are under stress due to loss of forests. We need to conserve such species by restoring forests.
Regards, Ketaki & Manasi.
Kartoli Scientific name: Momordica dioica Family: Cucurbitaceae This is a perennial climber growing in hilly areas but leaves are grown only during monsoon so it is recognizable only during rainy season. Leaves are lobed and are cordate at base. Flowers are big 4-6 cm in diameter, yellow. Fruits are densely covered with soft spines and are used as vegetables. They are rich in vitamin A, C and riboflavin and iodine.

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