Snap melon
Cucumis melo var. momordica

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a climber. The leaves are almost round and with lobes. The flowers are yellow. The fruit vary in shape. They can be oval or long. They usually become orange when ripe.

There are about 25 Cucumis species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in Nepal up to about 250 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia

How it is used for food

Young fruit are cooked as a vegetable. Ripe fruit are eaten fresh.

It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds are put 1 cm deep and a spacing of 1 m by 2 m.

Its other names

Local names

Kaat velleri, Kachro, Peddakai, Pedda doskay, Phut, Phuti, Pythum kai, Tha-khwar-hmwe

Synonyms

Probably now Cucumis melo Momordica group; Cucumis momordica Roxb.;