Occurrence, Distribution and Ex Situ Regeneration of Balsam Apple (Momordica balsamina L.) in India

Momordica balsamina L. has a narrow distribution in India, confined to Rajasthan and Gujarat. Ex situ regeneration studies showed that it can be regenerated during October-April in Kerala, simulating the hot days and cool nights that occur in its home range. Even though pollination and seed dispersal by native fauna was observed, it could not naturalize in Western Ghats due to non-adaptability to the high rainfall monsoon period. Few reports of its occurrence and distribution in Kerala are obviously based on misidentification of a herbarium specimen as South India is far beyond its natural range.