Cucumis pustulatus

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a climbing herb. It grows 2 m long. The leaves are broadly oval and 3-10 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. There are teeth around the edge. There are 5 lobes spread like fingers on a hand and they are oval to triangle shaped with the central one being largest. The fruit is narrowly oval to cylinder shaped and 5-7 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. It is green and turns yellow when ripe. The seeds are 6 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 300-1,600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tanzania

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Qalfoon

Synonyms

Cucumis figarei var. ficifolius Naudin;