African Horned cucumber, Kiwano
Cucumis metuliferus

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is an annual plant. It grows to 0.5 m tall and spreads to 1.5 m wide. The stems are trailing and hairy. The tendrils are curled and do not branch. The leaves have 3 lobes and are heart shaped. The edges of the leaves have teeth. The flowers are funnel shaped. and yellow. They open into five lobes. Male and female flowers occur on the same plant. The female flower is above a prickly green ovary which enlarges to become the fruit. The fruit are oblong and spiny and change from green to orange as they ripen. They are 12 cm long and 6 cm across. The fleshy pulp surrounding the seeds is bright green. The seeds are white. It tastes and smells like a cucumber. The skin is not eaten.

There are about 25 Cucumis species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It requires conditions similar to cucumbers. It prefers light well drained soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. It grows at low and medium elevations in Zimbabwe. It grows between 210-1,800 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Australia, Angola, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Congo DR, Cook Islands, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Gambia, Guinea, Guinée, Israel, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, North America, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The peeled fruit are eaten raw. They can also be cut open and sun dried for storage and use in preserves. The young leaves are stripped and cooked then eaten. The seeds are pounded and used for flavouring. CAUTION: If the plants are bitter they need to be used with caution.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Fruit are sold in local markets. Improved varieties have been produced.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, vegetable, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They take 8-16 days to germinate in warm soil.

Plants grow rapidly. They flower and set fruit in 6-8 weeks. It is then 7 weeks to maturity.

Its other names

Local names

African horned melon, Afriška bučka, Chicuachavate, Chicuapuruto, Gaka, Gakachika, Hedged gourd, Horned melon, Jelly melon, Kangamkhwani, Magabala, Melano, Mokapana, Mucaca munzua, Mugagachiga, Mugaika, Mugaka, Mugamganam, Mugumudsambwa, Mukake, Mushonja, Mutete, Nku, Okuju, Tshinyagu, Tshithangavhavhe, Uhufafa, Umhlagahlaga

Synonyms

Cucumis tinneanus Kotschy & Peyr. The correct spelling in probably now metulifer;