Ampalayang-ligaw


Probably shares with cultivated ampalaya its chemical constituents, characteristics and other folkloric uses.

Botany
A climbing vine with tendrils up to 10 centimeters long. Leaves heart-shaped, 5-10 cm in diameter, cut into 5-6 lobes. Yellow flowers, about 10 mm long.Rounded, fleshy green ribbed fruit, with pointed ends.

Distribution
Grows wild year-round in open fields, thickets, and waste places, at low and medium altitudes.

Parts utilized
Leaves.

Uses
Folkloric
Juice of young leaves used for infants and adults as mucolytic in tight and poorly productive coughs.
Others
Young leaves and fruit are edible. The young leaves are preferred to the cultivated variety for use in soups and other culinary inclusions.

Toxicity
None known.

Availability
Wild-crafted.