
Cucumis metuliferus
Status: Not Evaluated
Type: Deciduous
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Names: Chitunguza, African horned cucumber, spiked melon, jelly melon, kiwano, or cuke-a-saurus
Appearance: 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.
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
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).