#balsamapple

[seedkeeping]

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[Turn sound on] Balsam Apple (Momordica balsamina) is related to Bitter Melon and native to African tropics. The ripe fruit explodes tossing the bright red seeds out. It is used for many medicinal purposes, and the leaves and young fruit are eaten in Cameroon, Sudan, and Southern Africa. However, at this ripe stage it is poisonous. #Momordica #momordicabalsamina #balsamapple #bittermelon #seedsaving #seedkeeping (at Delaware County, Pennsylvania)

[seedkeeping]

Balsam Apple is a Bitter Melon relative with tiny pointed fruit that are edible when young and green, but that cause vomiting when ripe and orange. The bright red seed coat is sweet and textured like tapioca. In Cameroon, Sudan, and southern Africa the young fruit and leaves are cooked as a vegetable. This plant (Momordica balsamina) has numerous medicinal uses, and in 19th century texts it is described alongside the more common bitter melon (Momordica charantia), and both listed as Cerasee, an important healing vegetable in Jamaica. This plant is from tropical Africa and was also introduced to Asia where it is used to treat wounds. The background of this photo is Petit Marseillaise Peppers, for color. #balsamapple #momordicabalsamina #cerasee (at Delaware County, Pennsylvania)

[wordswimmer]

Balsam apple fruit and flower. #balsamapple #vine #flowerandfruit #flowers #fruit #red #seeds #florida #sarasota #sarasotaflorida #morningwalk https://www.instagram.com/p/BoeM-kaAIxD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4ysgkgdhe36j

[kiragondecksilvia]

You can now purchase an 8x10 metallic print of my most recent drawing, “Bitter Fruit” (currently on display at Loud Gallery in Orlando) by going to my new Big Cartel page! http://lesleysilviashysterics.bigcartel.com/product/bitterfruit #prints #watercolor #coloredpencils #wolf #jaguar #snarl #balsamapple #bigcartel

[kiragondecksilvia]

“Bitter Fruit” 20" x 30" colored pencil & water color on Arches paper This piece depicts the emotional constipation or detainment I feel during arguments. The vines depicted are balsam apple, an invasive species to Florida that has been teaching me persistence and patience as I continuously pull it from my garden. 8"x10" prints on metallic coated paper are available for any interested. The piece will also be shown at Loud Gallery in Orlando Friday 25 August through Monday 11 September 2017. #prismacolor #colorpencil #coloredpencil #drphmartinswatercolor #watercolor #wolf #leopard #wolfdrawing #leoparddrawing #balsamapple #artaboutconversations #artaboutcommunication #animalsymbolism #snarling #snarl