1.2- TribeJoliffieae + Overview Tribe Joliffieae is in the subfamily Cucurbitoideae of the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. + Taxonomy Tribe Joliffieae has 2 subtribes: I- Subtribe Thladianthinae: consisting of 4 genera Genera: 1- Indofevillea 2- Momordica 3- Siraitia 4- Thladiantha II- Subtribe Telfairiinae: consisting of 1 genus Genus: 1- Telfairia
2- Subtribes and Genera of the Tribe Joliffieae
2.1- Subtribe Thladianthinae: consisting of 4 genera Genera: Indofevillea,Momordica,Siraitia, Thladiantha, 1- Genus Indofevillea + Overview The genusIndofevilleais in the subtribe Thladianthinae, in the tribe Joliffiseae, in the subfamily Cucurbitoideae, in the familyCucurbitaceae,in the major groupAngiosperms (Flowering plants). Indofevillea is a poorly known monotypic genus in the Cucurbitaceae. + Species The genusIndofevilleahas only 1 species: Indofevillea khasiana The only described species, Indofevillea khasiana is known from collections in Sikkim, Tibet, and Bhutan and probably highly endangered. Additional fieldwork is urgently needed. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hannos_pics/4959871249.
2- Genus Momordica + Overview Momordicais a genus of about 60 species of annual or perennial climbersherbaceousor rarely small shrubs belonging to the familyCucurbitaceae, natives of tropical and subtropicalAfricaandAsiaandAustralia. Most species produce floral oils and are visited by specialist pollinators in theapidtribe Ctenoplectrini. A molecular phylogeny that includes all species is available (Schaefer and Renner, 2010). SomeMomordicaspecies are grown in cultivation for their fleshyfruit, which are oblong to cylindrical in shape, orange to red in colour, prickly or warted externally, and inMomordica charantiaburst when ripe, generally with elastic force, into irregular valves. + Species The genus Momordicahas about 60 species of annual or perennial climbersherbaceousor rarely small shrubs. The most important species include: 1- Momordica balsaminaL. 2- Momordica charantiaL.-Bitter melon 3- Momordica cochinchinensis(Lour.) Spreng.-Gac 4- Momordica cymbalariaHook.f. 5- Momordica dioicaRoxb. ex Willd. 6- Momordica enneaphyllaCogn. 7- Momordica foetida Schumach.
2.2- Subtribe Telfairiinae Subtribe Telfairiinaeconsists of 1 genus: Telfairia 1- Genus Telfairia + Overview Telfairiais a small genus of flowering plants in the squash familywhich are native to Africa. The genus was named for Irish naturalistCharles Telfair(1778-1833). The genus include Telfairia occidentalis, the fluted pumpkin, which is an important vegetable inNigeriaand other African nations. It is also known as the oyster nut, a common name it shares with its relativeTelfairia pedata. These are woody and herbaceousdioeciousvineswhich bear squashlike fruits that contain large, nutritious oily seeds. The third species isTelfairia batesiiwhich is very rare and not cultivated. These vines grow quickly to lengths of 30 meters or more, usingtendrilsto scale trees.Telfairia pedatais grown as anornamental plantfor its attractive foliage. The seeds ofTelfairia occidentalisandTelfairia pedataare over 25% protein and 55% oil, making them a good source of nutrition. They are used as a traditional food source for nursing mothers, the seed flour is fermented to make baby food, the leaves and shoots, especially ofTelfairia occidentalis, are eaten as vegetables. One recent concern has been the impact oftelfairia mosaic virus, which, along with other problems, is a threat to the already low genetic diversity of plants of this genus. + Species The genus Telfairiahave 3 species: Telfairia batesii Telfairia occidentalis- fluted pumpkin, oyster nut Telfairia pedata(syn.T. africana, Fevillea pedata, Joliffia africana) - oyster nut, queen's nut, Zanzibar oil vine.