Common Name: Bitter apple. Tamil Name: Kumatti
Bitter apple is a monoecious (male and female flower seen separately in the same plant) twinning prostrate vine native to the Mediterranean region. It has a wide geographical presence and is often found on road sides in Coimbatore. They prefer the dry arid zone areas in the plains. The stem is four-sided and grooved. The entire plant is covered with stiff rough hairs (scabrid). The simple leaves are arranged in an alternate manner; leaves is ovate in shape with a cordate base; the leaf surface has a sand-paper like finish. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 1.1 cm and 2 cm respectively. The leaves are mostly five-lobed. The distance between successive leafing nodes are around 4 cm. The inflorescence is single and axillary; flowers are yellow in color with five petals. The flower stalk measure around 6mm; the calyx is five teethed and measure around 4-5 mm. The flower measurers around 8-9 mm across. The fruit is in the form of a globular drupe; initially green and variegated-later turns yellow when ripe. The fruit measure around 7-8 mm in diameter. The pulpy fruit contains many egg shaped brown seeds. Bitter apple has many medicinal application in its native range, however, most parts of the plant are highly poisonous.
