Alsomitra

Alsomitra
Alsomitra macrocarpa seed
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Cucurbitaceae
Subfamily:	Zanonioideae
Tribe:	Zanonieae
Subtribe:	Zanoniinae
Genus:	Alsomitra L.
Species
See text
Synonyms
Macrozanonia Cogn. Zanonia Blume

Alsomitra is a genus of the plant family Cucurbitaceae (the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin family).

The seeds of Alsomitra macrocarpa are among the largest winged seeds in the plant kingdom and their shape inspired a number of aviation pioneers.

Selected species

• Alsomitra angulata
• Alsomitra angustipetala
• Alsomitra balansae
• Alsomitra beccariana
• Alsomitra brasiliensis
• Alsomitra capricornica
• Alsomitra macrocarpa - Javan cucumber

External links

• Wind dispersal of seeds
• Alsomitra macrocarpa seed
• Andres, T. C. 2004. Web site for the plant family Cucurbitaceae & home of The Cucurbit Network.
• KBD: Kew Bibliographic Databases of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
• Species list
• BBC - Vine seeds become 'giant gliders'