bitter gourd · Asked on Facebook · 5 November 2026
What is this vining plant with deeply lobed leaves (looks like bitter gourd)?
From the leaf shape and the thin climbing vines, this looks very much like wild bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), a cucurbit relative of cucumber and pumpkin. Let a few flowers or fruits form to confirm the ID before eating it.
The question
“What plant is this do you recognize?”
What's likely going on
From the photo, this is a thin, climbing vine with tendrils and deeply cut, hand-shaped leaves. That combination is very characteristic of bitter gourd / bitter melon (Momordica charantia), often called karela in India. It may be a wild or volunteer form, which usually has smaller, very bitter fruits.
Because there’s no clear flower or fruit visible, it can’t be confirmed 100%, but among common garden weeds and vegetables, bitter gourd is the closest match. Flowers would be small, yellow, and star-shaped; fruits will be warty and elongated.
What to do
Check the tendrils and growth habit
Look for thin curling tendrils that grab onto nearby plants or supports. Bitter gourd always climbs like this.Look at new leaves closely
Young leaves should also be deeply lobed (like a rough maple leaf) and a bit crinkled. Smooth, rounder leaves would suggest a different vine.Wait for flowers and fruits
Allow the plant to keep growing. When yellow flowers and warty green fruits appear, compare them with pictures of bitter gourd for confirmation.Be cautious about eating
Do not consume any part of the plant until you are sure of the ID. Wild bitter gourds can be extremely bitter and should be cooked properly.
How to prevent it
If this appeared on its own and you don’t want it there:
- Pull the vines out by the roots while the soil is moist.
- Remove any small fruits so they don’t drop seeds and resprout.
When to worry
- If pets or children chew on random plants, it’s best to remove unknown volunteers until identified, as some wild cucurbit relatives can upset the stomach.
- If the vine starts smothering nearby plants, trim or remove it; bitter gourd can grow quickly and take over supports.
For anyone interested in keeping it, give it a trellis or fence to climb so fruits (if any) hang freely and are easier to harvest and inspect.
Answered by the GrowPls assistant. Every plant and room is different; if things don't improve, a clear close-up photo of the affected part is the fastest way to a better answer.
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