Mandera cucumber
Cucumis sacleuxii
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A pumpkin family plant. It is a climbing plant. The stems are 1 m long. They have long bristly hairs amongst shorter finer hairs. The leaves are broadly oval to heart shaped and densely hairy. There are teeth around the edge. The leaves are 3-9 cm long by 4-10 cm wide. They have 5-7 lobes spread like fingers on a hand. The central lobe is largest. Male and female flowers are separate. The fruit is oval and 7-8 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. They are green with yellow stripes.
There are about 25 Cucumis species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,200 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Congo R, East Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania
How it is used for food
Young fruit are pickled.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves