Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Cucurbitales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Cucurbitaceae
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Ecballium A.Rich., Dict. Class. Hist. Nat. 19 (1824)
 Description

Monoecious herb with prostrate, hispid stems. Rootstock stout and ± tuberous. Tendrils 0. Lvs lobed. Fls axillary, 5-merous, pale yellow; ♂ in racemes; ♀ solitary. Calyx tube very short. Petals united towards base. Stamens 3, free, with broad connectives. ♀ fls with 5 staminodes. Ovary hispid, minutely tuberculate; placentae 3; ovules numerous; stigmas 3–(4), each forked. Fr. oblong-ellipsoid, scabrid and densely hairy at maturity, becoming detached from peduncle and violently ejecting the seeds from the resulting aperture. Seeds numerous, ovate-ellipsoid, dark brown; margin obscure.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Ecballium A.Rich.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised1
Total1
 Bibliography
Bory de Saint-Vincent, J.B.G.M. 1824: Dictionnaire classique d'histoire naturelle. Edition 6.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.