Coccinea (South Africa Ornamental Gourd)

Coccinea hirtella

200 (500)cm, a perennial climber from South Africa with a long, fleshy root. Makes dark green, heart shaped leaves with serrated margins and small, golden flowers followed by most ornamental, egg shaped, bright orange red fruits. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Plants require a climbing aid, full sun and a winter minimum of some 12°C with watering reduced to a minimum.

Coccinea indica (Covay Kai or Bimbika Cucumber)

200 (400)cm, Covay Kai Cucumber or Bimbika Cucumber is a perennial climber native of Madras Province, India. It makes perennial, fast growing vines with dark green, glossy leaves with serrated margins and showy pure white flowers followed by most ornamental, egg shaped, bright orange red fruits from a massive underground caudex. Plants are dioecious, i.e. female and male flowers are born on different plants. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Plants require a climbing aid, full sun and a winter minimum of some 12°C with watering reduced to a minimum. V-IX.

Coccinea palmata

200 (500)cm, a perennial climber from South Africa with a long, fleshy root. Makes dark green, heart shaped leaves with serrated margins and quite large, cream white flowers followed by most ornamental, egg shaped, bright orange red fruits. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Plants require a climbing aid, full sun and a winter minimum of some 12°C with watering reduced to a minimum. VII-IX.

Coccinea quinqueloba

Coccinea rehmannii

Coccinea sessifolia

200 (500)cm, is a perennial climber from Namibia, southern Africa. It makes perennial, fast growing vines with dark green, heart shaped leaves with serrated margins and small, whitish-cream flowers followed by ornamental, small round, bright scarlet fruits, all grown from a massive caudex. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Plants require a climbing aid, full sun and a winter minimum of some 12°C with watering reduced to a minimum. VI-VIII.