Wild cucumber, Gooseberry gourd
Cucumis anguria var. longaculeatus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A herb. It lies along the ground and can be a climber. It can be 3 m long. The leaf blade is 3-10 cm long by 4-13 cm wide. It is broadly oval.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It grows between 10-1,675 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Southern Africa, Swaziland
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The fruit are eaten raw and used in soups and vegetable dishes. The dried fruit are cooked together with maize porridge.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit, seed
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds. Non bitter varieties are selected.
Its other names
Local names
Agurkie, Elopaf, Kanjampara, Muthangavhavhe, Onyase, Tch'a, Tshinyagu, Tshiphaswi