balsam apple

noun

1. a climbing Old World tropical vine, Momordica balsamina, of the gourd family.
2. the orange, ovoid, warty fruit of this vine.

balsam apple

noun

1. an ornamental cucurbitaceous vine, Momordica balsamina , of the Old World tropics, with yellow flowers and orange egg-shaped fruits

Word History and Origins

Origin of balsam apple¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

The garden balsam is an annual plant, Impatiens balsamina, and the balsam apple is the fruit of Momordica balsamina, nat.

From Project Gutenberg