2- Important Species of the Genus Cucumis - Melon and Cucumber
2.1- Species Cucumis anguria - Gooseberry gourd + Overview Cucumis anguria, commonly known as bur cucumber, bur gherkin, cackrey, gooseberry gourd, maroon cucumber, West Indian gherkin, and West Indian gourd, is a vine that is indigenous to Africa, but has become naturalized in the New World, and is cultivated in many places. It is similar and related to the common cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and its cultivars are known as gherkins. Cucumis anguria is primarily grown (as a crop plant) for its edible fruit, which are used in pickling, as cooked vegetables, or eaten raw. The flavor is similar to that of the common cucumber. Cucumis anguria fruits are popular in the northeast and north of Brazil, where they are an ingredient in the local version of cozido (meat-and-vegetable stew). Cucumis anguria has been used in folk medicine to treat ailments of the stomach. Synonyms Cucumis anguria var. longipes (Hook.f.) A.Meeuse Cucumis longipes Hook.f. + Taxonomy The species Cucumis anguria has two Varieties: 1- Cucumis anguria var. anguria (autonym) 2- Cucumis anguria var. longaculeatus J.H.Kirkbr. Source:Cucumis anguria -From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2.2- Species Cucumis humofructus (aardvark cucumber) + Overview Theaardvark cucumber(Cucumis humofructus), also known asaardvark pumpkin, is a kind of cucumberfromsouthern Africa,tropical Africa, and Madagascarwhich fruits underground. It is reliant on theaardvarkto eat the fruit in order to spread and re-bury the seeds of the plant. It is the only fruit eaten byaardvark, which normally feeds exclusively onantsand termites.Aardvarks eat the fruit for its water content,and propagate the seeds through their feces, which are then buried by the animals.Due to the depth of the fruit, the seeds are unable to germinate without assistance, and completely rely on aardvarks to uncover the fruit,and the plant may be the reason why the aardvark is the only mammal feeding on ants and termites that has retained functional cheek teeth. + Taxonomy There is only one variety of the aardvark cucumber (Cucumis humofructus).
2.3- Species Cucumis melo (Muskmelon) + Overview Muskmelon(Cucumismelo) is a species of melonthat has been developed into many cultivated varieties. These include smooth-skinned varieties such ashoneydew, Crenshaw, and casaba, and different nettedcultivars (cantaloupe,Persian melon, andSanta Clausor Christmas melon). TheArmenian cucumberis also a variety of muskmelon, but its shape, taste, and culinary uses more closely resemble those of acucumber. The large number of cultivars in this species approaches that found inwild cabbage, though morphological variation is not as extensive. It is afruitof a type calledpepo. Muskmelon is native toIran,Anatoliaand Armenia, with a secondary center including northwestIndiaandAfghanistan. In addition to their consumption when fresh, melons are sometimesdried. Other varieties are cooked, or grown for their seeds, which are processed to produce melon oil. Still other varieties are grown only for their pleasant fragrance. TheJapaneseliqueurMidoriis flavored with muskmelon. + Taxonomy - Varieties ofSpecies Cucumis melo Cucumis meloInodorus Group 1- Cantaloupe 2- Galia melon 3- Canary melon 4- Honeydew melon 5- Persian melon 6- Santa Claus melon - Cultivars 1- Bailan melon 2- Charentais melon 3- Crane melon 4- Hami melon 5- Korean melon 6- Montreal melon 7- Sprite melon 8- Sugar melon 9- Yubari King Source: Muskmelon- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2.4- Species Cucumis metuliferus (Horned melon) + Overview Cucumis metuliferus, horned melon or kiwano, also African horned cucumber or melon, jelly melon, hedged gourd,melano, in the southeastern United States,blowfish fruit, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family, Cucurbitaceae. Its fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name "horned melon". Ripe fruit has yellow-orange skin and lime green, jelly-like flesh with a tart taste, and texture similar to a cucumber. Cucumis metuliferus is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is now grown in California, Mississippi, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. Cucumis metuliferus is a traditional food plant in Africa, and has potential to improve nutrition and food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land use. Along with the Gemsbok cucumber (Acanthosicyos naudinianus) and Tsamma (Citron melon) it is one of the few sources of water during the dry season in the Kalahari Desert. In northern Zimbabwe it is called gaka or gakachika, and is primarily used as a snack or salad, and rarely for decoration. It can be eaten at any stage of ripening, but when overripened, will burst forcefully to release seeds. The fruit's taste has been compared to a combination of cucumber and zucchini or a combination of banana, cucumber and lemon. It is also said to taste like an unripe, watered-down banana. A small amount of salt or sugar can increase the flavor. Some also eat the peel, which is very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. The fruit can be used in cooking, but when eaten raw, most suck out the pulp and spit out the seeds. Despite the fruit's colorful appearance, it has not found any significant uses in Western cuisine, and has been called "astringent", and the prices "exorbitant". + Taxonomy There is only one variety of theHorned melon(Cucumis metuliferus). Source: Cucumis metuliferus- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2.5- Species Cucumis myriocarpus + Overview Cucumis myriocarpus,paddy melonor prickly paddy melonis a prostrate or climbing annual herb native to tropical and southern Africa.It has small, round, yellow-green or green-striped fruit with soft spines, small yellow flowers and deeply lobed, light green leaves. The melon occurs in disturbed soil and cleared or bare areas, and thrives on summer moisture. The fruit and foliage are toxic due to the presence ofcucurbitacin. The plant is potentially toxic to horses, sheep, cattle and pigs and has been associated with stock deaths.It has been used by humans as anemetic.There are records of poisoning occurring in humans. The melon is aweedinAustraliaand in California, where it may also be known as prickly paddy melon, bitter apple, gooseberry gourd and gooseberry cucumber. Both wild melon species have a similar unpleasant odor when broken or disturbed. This makes them less palatable to stock, so poisoning tends only to occur when little other feed is available. The plant occurs in Spain, where it is naturalized and known by the common names of habaneraorsandía habanera. + Taxonomy There is only one variety of the Paddy melon (Cucumis myriocarpus). Source: Cucumis myriocarpus- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia