Common Name: Colocynth

General Information

Citrullus colocynthis is a perennial plant with a woody, tuberous rootstock from which grow long trailing or climbing stems[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of oil. It has long been valued for its medicinal uses and is cultivated in some regions for this purpose[, ].

Known Hazards

The plant contains a number of potentially toxic compounds and can be harmful if used in quantity. These compounds include elatermidine, glycosides, resin, dihydric alcohol, heltiacontane, citrullin and citrullinic acid. Taken in excess they can cause gastrointestinal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, hypothermia, cardiac disorders, cerebral congestion and necrosis of liver and renal cells[].

Botanical References

Range

Northern Africa through Arabia to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Habitat

Sand dunes[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant found mainly in the drier areas the tropics and subtropics, though it can tolerate high levels of rainfall when cultivated. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 32°c, but can tolerate 14 - 40°c[]. Mature growth can be killed by temperatures of -5°c or lower, but young growth is severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 300 - 500mm, but tolerates 250 - 4,300mm[].
Prefers a well-drained, light soil and a position in full sun[]. Plants are very drought hardy[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 7.5, tolerating 4 - 8[].
Productivity is enhanced during dry, sunny periods and reduced during periods of excessive rainfall and high humidity[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - cooked[]. They are first boiled in several changes of water to remove a bitter principle, and then made into pickles and preserves[]. The fruit is 5 - 8cm in diameter[].

Seed - cooked[]. Eaten roasted or ground into a meal and used to make chapattis[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[, ].

Medicinal

The dried, unripe fruit pulp constitutes the drug 'colocynth', which is a very strong laxative[, ]. It is also used as an antirheumatic, anthelmintic, hydrogogue, and as a remedy for skin infections[, ].
The fruits and seeds are used in the treatment of diabetes[].

The roots have purgative properties and are used in the treatment of jaundice, rheumatism and urinary diseases[].

Some caution should be employed in the use of this remedy, see the notes above on toxicity.

Other Uses

The seeds contain 30 - 34% of a pale yellow oil, which contains an alkaloid, a glucoside and a saponin[]. The oil is used as an illuminant in lamps[].

Propagation

Seed -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: 6 add another 6 is?