| 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'.
|
