Horned cucumber, Jelly melon
Cucumis africanus

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is a straggling plant with a rough surface. The leaves have 3-5 lobes. The middle lobe is largest. The tendrils are short and weak. The leaves are 8 cm long on stalks 7 cm long. The female flowers are yellow and 2 cm long. The male flowers are smaller and in clusters. The fruit are oval and 8 cm long by 4 cm across. They are yellow when ripe. The fruit are covered with stiff spines. Some fruit are bitter. Non bitter kinds have to be chosen.

There are about 25-30 Cucumis species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in deep dry sandy soils. It grows in hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It grows between 150-2,115 m above sea level. It is not common in Swaziland. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Young leaves are eaten as a potherb. The bitter fruit are occasionally eaten raw. They are also cooked and strained.

It is an important crop in South Africa. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seed, caution, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Duno, Etanga, Huhaqn, Konkomba, Lekatane, Magabala, Mapukupuka, Mogabala, Monyaki, Monyaku, Moshishiwau, Mugaika, Mukake, Mutete, Nku, Toa, Tshinyagu, Uhufafa, Isendlenja, Umaselwane, Uthangazana, Wildeagurkie

Synonyms

Cucumis hookeri Naud.;