Bitter melon / Balsam apple

[AnimalLady]

This is a wild growing vine in Florida. This vine is ALL OVER my fence. I removed it from the area of my tort because im not sure about it. I tried looking it up @ Tortoisetable and wasnt able to find anything.

Do any of you know if this is ok for the tort to eat? I have so much of it, it would be great.

I'm in the process of identifying weeds in my yard that are safe for the little booger. So far, I have prickly pear cactus. I bought Hibiscus to plant and grow from seeds and I think I also have dandelion seeds.

I have some Hibiscus here at work, are the leaves and flower safe?

 

[AnimalLady]

http://www.floridasnature.com/images/Balsam pear Fruit.jpg

http://www.floridasnature.com/images/BALSAMPEAR_Momordica charantia L.jpg

vine in question

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

http://www.feedipedia.org/node/125

Those are two different species in one genus. I see the vine sold in Farmers markets here and many people buy it to eat. I ate some too, the leafy part, and bitter is a good description. The tortoises showed no high preference for it. @keepergale might have a share, I think he tried it out too.

Will

 

[dmmj]

plants on commercial property ie. businesses are usually treated with pesticides and fertilizers avoid avoid avoid. in case I wasn't clear avoid

 

[AnimalLady]

The vine is very bitter, ive been told its used to make tea and its good for your blood?

dmmj,
Yes, I agree with that statement.. but, this specific plant is mine. I brought it a LONG time ago and I am the only one who cares for it. Its right outside my office in a huge pot. So i'm pretty sure nothing gets sprayed on it. Thank you though!

 

[AmRoKo]

I have this plant that grows in a spot in the yard, I threw old decorative halloween pumpkins over there a few years ago and this smelly melon plant comes up every year.... Did I mention the oh so pleasant aroma that this entire bitter melon plants emits? It's like the smell of... really really old laundry, probably from a gym. never have fed it to the torts, I do remember reading that it was indeed edible buuuut, it just smells so friggin awful, lol.

 

[AnimalLady]

YES, it smells like crap! I HATE IT. Luckily its to the back of my property and it works VERY well as a privacy type vine thing.