Annual, scabrid, wild herb with trailing, angular, scabrous stems; tendrils 2-3 fid; leaves ovate or triangular in outline, deeply 3 lobed, middle lobe larger, compound pinnatisect, sinuate; male flowers villous; calyx hispid, campanulate, 5-lobed; corolla pale yellow, segments-5, obovate; stamens-3, short, anthers scarcely cohering, cells conduplicate, connective not produced; female flowers densely hairy; calyx-corolla like males; ovary ovoid, style short, stigmas-3 reniform; fruit indehiscent, globose or ellipsoid, smooth, fleshy, berry striped with dark green and white, pulp spongy, very bitter.