Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Bitter Melon

Momordica charantia

Typically in season from March to January in the northern hemisphere. Found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

Photo: Sinaloa Silvestre · CC0

When Bitter Melon is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak March to January. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in July

Where it grows

Bitter Melon is usually found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

Take Bitter Melon into the field

Open Bitter Melon in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Bitter Melon: common questions

When is Bitter Melon in season?

Bitter Melon is generally in season from March to January in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Bitter Melon grow?

Bitter Melon is usually found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

Is Bitter Melon safe to forage?

Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits