Cucumella engleri

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family herb that lies along the ground. It grows 1.2 m long. It is bristly. The leaf blade is 1-8 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. They are broadly oval. Young leaves have a covering underneath. It may or may not have lobes. There can be 3-5 lobes arranged like fingers on a hand. The central lobe is the largest and the lobes are triangle shaped. The male flowers are in groups of 2-12 flowers. The fruit are 1-4 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. They are narrow and have ribs along them. They are orange-red. The seeds are 4-7 mm long by 2-4 mm wide and 1 mm thick.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

How it is used for food

Caution: Some consider the fruit poisonous.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Kedrostis engleri Gilg;