Cucumis metuliferus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Horned melon
2015-02-01 Cucumis metuliferus Kiwano anagoria.JPG
Cucumis metuliferus fruit
Fruit in cross section showing green flesh
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Cucumis
Species:
C. metuliferus
Binomial name
Cucumis metuliferus
E. Mey
Horned Melon, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy183 kJ (44 kcal)
7.56 g
1.26 g
1.78 g
VitaminsQuantity
%DV†
Vitamin A equiv.
1%
7 μg
1%
88 μg
Thiamine (B1)
2%
0.025 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
1%
0.015 mg
Niacin (B3)
4%
0.565 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
4%
0.183 mg
Vitamin B6
5%
0.063 mg
Folate (B9)
1%
3 μg
Vitamin C
6%
5.3 mg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Calcium
1%
13 mg
Copper
1%
0.020 mg
Iron
9%
1.13 mg
Magnesium
11%
40 mg
Manganese
2%
0.039 mg
Phosphorus
5%
37 mg
Potassium
3%
123 mg
Sodium
0%
2 mg
Zinc
5%
0.48 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Water88.97 g
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA FoodData Central

Cucumis metuliferus, commonly called 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, Cucurbitaceae. 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.[1][2] It is found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Angola.

Kiwano is a traditional food plant in Africa. 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.[3][4] In northern Zimbabwe it is called gaka or gakachika,[5] and is primarily used as a snack or salad, and rarely for decoration. It can be eaten at any stage of ripening, but when overripe, it will burst forcefully to release seeds.

The fruit's taste has been compared to a combination of banana and passionfruit,[6] cucumber and zucchini[2] or a combination of banana, cucumber and lime.[7] A small amount of salt or sugar can increase the flavor but the seed content can make eating the fruit less convenient than many common fruits.

Some also eat the peel, which is very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber.[8]

Germination[]

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).

Pests and diseases[]

It was found that kiwano is resistant to several root-knot nematodes, two accessions were found to be highly resistant to Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV-1), but very sensitive to the Squash mosaic virus (SqMV). Some accessions were found to succumb to Fusarium wilt. Resistance to Greenhouse whitefly was reported. Kiwano was reported to be resistant to powdery mildew; however, in Israel powdery mildew as well as the Squash mosaic virus (SqMV) attacked kiwano fields and measures had to be taken.[9]

Gallery[]

  • Zeleno.jpg
  • Owoce Kiwano.jpg
  • Kiwano.jpg
  • Kiwano.JPG
  • Kiwanov.jpg
  • Horned Mellon.jpg
  • Kiwano peel - 2021.JPG
  • Kiwano spines - 2021.jpg

References[]

  1. ^ Welman, Mienkie. "Cucumis metuliferus". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Living - Kiwano: It's what's inside that counts - Seattle Times Newspaper". nwsource.com.
  3. ^ (in French) Parc de Khal-agadi, pas si désert, in Science & Vie n° 1130, November 2011, pp. 18-21.
  4. ^ Ben-Erik Van Wyk (2000). People's Plants: A guide to useful plants of southern Africa. South Africa: Briza Publications. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-875093-19-9. Archived from the original on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2015-01-10.
  5. ^ Lim, T. K. (2012-01-30). Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 2, Fruits. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9789400717633.
  6. ^ "What does kiwano taste like?".
  7. ^ "The Dinner Diva: Let's discover some more little-known fruits". DeseretNews.com. 21 February 2008.
  8. ^ "Mountain Herb Estate - VEGETABLE - CUCUMBER, AFRICAN HORNED, Jelly Melon, Kiwano, Rooi-agurkie, Rooikomkommer (Afr.), Mokapana (Tswana) (Cucumis metuliferus)". www.herbgarden.co.za. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  9. ^ Benzioni, Aliza. "Kiwano". www.hort.purdue.edu. Purdue University. Retrieved 3 June 2015.

External links[]

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