Cucumis humofructus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A herb. It lies along the ground. It grows each year from seed. The stems can be 2.5 m long. They produce roots at the nodes. The leaves have long leaf stalks. The leaves are heart shaped with small lobes and fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are pale yellow. They occur singly in the axils of leaves. The grow on long stalks into the soil. The fruit develop and ripen in the soil. They are pale green or yellow. The seeds are narrowly oval and white.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in sandy soils. It grows between 800-1,050 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, East Africa, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten as a snack.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Aardvark cucumber, Bamburu, Gemburu, Pammburu