The leaf by Robert Maijer.
Caudexes by Robert Maijer.
The fruit by Robert Maijer.
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This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was
given this name by Denis M. Kearns in 1994. It is found in Mexico, growing in a well
drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The caudex can
grow to five centimetres in diameter, the vines can reach
half a meter and the flowers are pale green.
Additionally, Robert Maijer
can tell that it is a night flowering species with a strong and
pleasant scent at dawn. Every inflorescence bear one female flower
followed by several male flowers. When the female flower is
pollinated the male buds abort. It gets a green, marbled fruit, 2-3
cm across is formed very quickly, it will be full-grown in 4-6 weeks
and contain 5-10 big seeds (not flat but a bit like fat grape seeds)
The fruit falls off when it is still green, the only sign that it is
ripe is the green turning from bright to dull green. |
