Horned Melon

( Chitunguza, African horned cucumber, spiked melon, jelly melon, kiwano, or cuke-a-saurus )

  • Cucumis metuliferus
  • IUCN Status: Not Evaluated
  • Tree Type: Deciduous
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade 1: Tracheophytes
  • Clade 2: Angiosperms
  • Clade 3: Eudicots
  • Clade 4: Rosids
  • Order: Cucurbitales
  • Family: Cucurbitaceae
  • Genus: Cucumis
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General Information

Cucumis metuliferus, commonly called vitunguza, the African horned cucumber, horned melon, spiked melon, jelly melon, kiwano, or cuke-a-saurus is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family

Fun Facts!

Description

Its fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name “horned melon”. The ripe fruit has orange skin and lime green, jelly-like flesh. C. metuliferus is native to Southern Africa.

Uses

Used to cure pesticides and disease treatment.

Cultivation

Seeding optimum germination temperatures are between 20° and 35 °C (68° to 95 °F). Germination is delayed at 12 °C (54 °F), and inhibited at temperatures lower than 12 °C or above 35 °C. Thus, it is recommended to sow in trays and transplant into the field at the two true leaf stage. The best time for transplanting into an open field is in the spring when soil and air temperatures rise to around 15 °C (59 °F).

Toxicity and Allergies

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Horned Melon