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Citrullus ecirrhosus

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A plant with buried stem.


Fresh seeds.


Un-ripen fruit.


Almost ripen fruit.


Male flower.

Author:  Célestin Alfred Cogniaux, 1888
Family:  CUCURBITACEAE
Origin:  Namibia, W South Africa
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Minimum*
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  15 Centimetres
Height:  2 Meters
Flower:  Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Tsamma Melons
Synonyms:  Colocynthis ecirrhosus, Chakrav, 1949

This monoecious member of the Cucurbitaceae family was described by Célestin Alfred Cogniaux in 1888. It is found in Namibia and western South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with little water* and lots of sun. The thickened rootstock can grow to fifteen centimetres in diameter, the vines will crawl for two meters and the flowers are yellow.

*It is reliant on a deep water layer in the ground and morning fogs, and need some water when in culture.

The genera name from Medieval Latin citrullus, citrolus, a kind of cucumber, from (assumed) Old Italian dialect citrulo (Italian cetriolo), from (assumed) Vulgar Latin citriolum, from Late Latin citrium, a kind of cucumber, from Latin, citron, from citrus. The species name from Latin e, ex; meaning 'without' and cirrhosus; 'tendrils'.


Leaf from a more moist area.


Female flower.


Female bud.


Another male flower