Friday, February 3, 2023

Bitter Melon or Balsam Apple Vine

 



A few of you asked what the yellow flower was in a prior post.
It seems this is a weed of Many Names.

Bitter Melon, Bitter Gourd, Bitter Squash, Balsam Pear, Balsam Apple
Take your pick of name.
I found that I had done 3 posts back in 2013, under, 
Reading them again I found it is as fascinating now as 9 years ago.



I may have taken a few photos in the past few weeks of the gourds and how they srpead the seed to become INVASIVE WEEDS in Florida
These are the gourds, on the flower above, that are open now and i have to clean them up so Beau will not eat them. They are laying on a rusty metal table.

Small gourds bursting on the vine





Today we remember Jacob (Jakey) over the rainbow bridge Jan 30th.
Jakey lived with Rosy and Sunny and Angel Dory and 
angel Arty all part of  
LLB Backyard Gang.

Joining Nature Friday with Rosy at Adventures of the LLB Gang.




20 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

They are very cute and colorful. Are they poisonous? The plant is too pretty to be a weed.

CheerfulMonk said...

They’re pretty but it’s too bad you have to worry about Beau.

easyweimaraner said...

we are very sad too... a part of our blogville is missed... furever. that is interesting with this plant... it can be bitter and a balm at the same time.. like life sometimes is...

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
It is a very pretty plant - even if somewhat unwanted by many! YAM xx

Ann said...

It sure is a pretty plant and fascinating with those gourds.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
The flower is pretty, I hope Beau does not bother with this plant.
The small gourds are interesting, I've never seen them.
Take care, have a great day!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Sandra.:=)
I have never come across this pretty yellow flower, The gourds are colourful, are they poisonous?

Tigger's Mum said...

Interesting - the flower and leaves look like they ought to be a cucumber or melon by the fruit looks really different. We used to have plants a bit like that growing on roadsides in Greece and they had little exploding cucumbers on them. Would Beau really eat those? I suppose you can't take the risk he might and then upset his tummy. We are all sad for Jakey's family and that is such a gorgeous picture to put up in memoriam.
xxx Mr T

Mevely317 said...

How interesting! Unlike me, I appreciate that you do the research and pass the 'meat' of the matter onto us.
Tabletop sure makes for a great background!

RIP precious Jackey.

My Mind's Eye said...

Weeds are often quite pretty....and for sure hearty it is impossible to get rid of them.
Hugs cecilia

NanaDiana said...

That sounds like not a great plant with the invasive qualities. Poor pup...heartbreaking when we lose them. xo Diana

Chatty Crone said...

Are they poisonous to Beau?

So sad about Jake - he was cute.

photowannabe said...

Love the gourds but didn't know they are toxic. I would kind of like them wandering around my fence though.
Today we have showers and it's not so cold, but I can't wait for the warmer weather so my friend Lynne and I can sit outside. The hours grow very long when its gray and gloomy. 4 hours and I can get back home to get ready for younger son Mark to arrive for a short visit.
His visit will be some good blog fodder in the coming days.
So happy our car is fixed and spent last night in our garage again!!
My heart is full for friends and family.
Sue

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

What beautiful flowers...and lovely seedpods/gourds...too bad they are invasive..I bet they aren't fun to keeps swept up!

Thanks so much for your beautiful tribute to Jakey!
Hugs,
Beth

Hootin Anni said...

If it's dangerous for Beau...must get rid of it.

Rose said...

It's leaves are even pretty...too bad it is invasive.

Susan Kane said...

We also have many invasive species that have settled in over the past 100 years. It is a battle to cut them back and/or remove them. Florida gets the worse. The Everglades have anacondas, there are giant snails, and who knows what else.
Sorry to hear about Jakey.

Bety Manousos said...

pretty little flower! weeds are some of my fav plants.
xoxo

DeniseinVA said...

Pretty but it's amazing how many toxic plants there are to worry about. RIP Jakey :*(

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

What a pretty flower for a weed!!!

Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber