Division of Plant Exploration and Germplasm Collection, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi-110 012
*Author for Correspondence: E-mail: anjula@nbpgr.ernet.in
Online published on 12 August, 2013.
Luffa tuberosa Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae) is of great interest to taxonomists due to its debatable taxonomic status under the genus Luffa and Momordica. The systematic study was attempted to provide evidence supporting inclusion of L. tuberosa Roxb. under Momordica as M. tuberosa (Roxb.) Cogn. (syn M. cymbalaria Hk.f.). In the present investigation comparison was made among some neglected morphological characters using 16 accessions of Luffa and six of Momordica. These characters were fruit peduncle shape, nature of pericarp, ornamentation of fruit wall, seed structure and seed dispersal mechanism.
India, Luffa tuberosa, Macro- and micro-morphological characters, Momordica, Neglected characters, Potential vegetable, Systematic study, Wild edible vegetable
