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Zehneria cunninghamii

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Photo: Dave Hall .


 Photo: CSIRO.


Leaves and flowers by Scott W. Gavins, Alphitonia.com.

Author: Ferdinand J.H. von Mueller, 1856
Family:  CUCURBITACEAE
Origin:  New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territories, Western Australia; Australia
Soil:  Rich Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  5 Centimetres?
Height:  2 Meters
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  Slender; Slender Cucumber
Synonyms:  Might be: Neoachmandra cunninghamii, Willem Jan Jacobus Oswald de Wilde & Brigitta Emma Elisabeth Duyfjes, 2006.
Melothria cunninghamii,
Benth, 1867.
Melothria unninghamii var. major, Domin.

This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was described by F. Mueller in 1856. It is found in most of Australia. Climbing the trees, up to two meters high, getting quite some water in the rainy period along with some sun. The flowers sit in clusters, many males, one female flower. It can be reproduced both by seeds and cuttings.

The genera is named after Josef Zehner, an Austrian botanical illustrator. The species is named after Allan Cunningham, 1791-1839, the son of Allan Cunningham (head gardener at Wimbledon Park House. He travelled Brazil and Australia, collecting specimens for Kew Gardens).


Flower by  J.L. Dowe, Canbr.gov.au.