Entry for CUCUMIS melo L. [family CUCURBITACEAE]
Entry From
Flora Somalia, Vol 1, (1993) Author: by C. Jeffrey & M. Thulin [updated by M. Thulin 2008]
Notes
Saar-saar (Som.); melon, musk-melon (Eng.). Fruits recorded as edible, and used as food. The above description is based on wild plants of Somalia, which are referable to subsp. agrestis (Naud.) Grebensc., distinguished by shortly puberulous ovaries. Plants of subsp. melo, with densely long-villous ovaries, are widely cultivated for their edible fruits and may be met with in cultivation in Somalia. They are usually also much larger in all parts, especially flowers, fruits and seeds, and the fruits vary greatly in size, shape, colour and surface ornamentation.