Thursday, April 3, 2008

Ampalayang Ligaw (Momordica charantia)



Look at this cute thing. I've been finding it all over the garden recently. When I first saw the familiar leaves, I decided they were too small to belong to ampalaya. Upon fruiting, we decided they were undoubtedly related to the ones we regularly eat, only they are really small. Ampalayang ligaw or wild ampalaya becomes a gorgeous orange when ripe. It contains bright red seeds, as shown in this photo.

Apparently, its leaves are preferred over the cultivated variety. I'm sure it contains just the same (if not more) medicinal qualities! And... it's just so damn cute. It's just like having tiny pea-sized watermelons or jackfruit.

I'm having this for dinner tonight!

1 comment:

One Valenzuela said...

edible? planted in my urban garden