Cucumis metuliferus

Horned melon
Cucumis metuliferus fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Cucumis
Species: C. metuliferus
Binomial name
Cucumis metuliferus
E. Mey
Horned Melon, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 183 kJ (44 kcal)
7.56 g
1.26 g
1.78 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.
(1%)

7 μg

(1%)
88 μg
Thiamine (B1)
(2%)

0.025 mg

Riboflavin (B2)
(1%)

0.015 mg

Niacin (B3)
(4%)

0.565 mg

Pantothenic acid (B5)
(4%)

0.183 mg

Vitamin B6
(5%)

0.063 mg

Folate (B9)
(1%)

3 μg

Vitamin C
(6%)

5.3 mg

Minerals
Calcium
(1%)

13 mg

Iron
(9%)

1.13 mg

Magnesium
(11%)

40 mg

Manganese
(2%)

0.039 mg

Phosphorus
(5%)

37 mg

Potassium
(3%)

123 mg

Sodium
(0%)

2 mg

Zinc
(5%)

0.48 mg

Other constituents
Water 88.97 g
Link to USDA Database entry
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Cucumis metuliferus, horned melon or kiwano, also African horned cucumber or melon, jelly melon, hedged gourd, melano, in the southeastern United States, blowfish fruit, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family, Cucurbitaceae. Its fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name "horned melon". Ripe fruit has yellow-orange skin and lime green, jelly-like flesh with a tart taste, and texture similar to a cucumber.[1] C. metuliferus is native to Sub-Saharan Africa.[2][3] It is now grown in California, Mississippi, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.

C. metuliferus is a traditional food plant in Africa. Along with the Gemsbok cucumber (Acanthosicyos naudinianus) and Tsamma (Citron melon) it is one of the few sources of water during the dry season in the Kalahari Desert.[4][5] In northern Zimbabwe it is called gaka or gakachika,[6] and is primarily used as a snack or salad, and rarely for decoration. It can be eaten at any stage of ripening, but when overripened, will burst forcefully to release seeds.[7]

The fruit's taste has been compared to a combination of cucumber and zucchini[3] or a combination of banana, cucumber and lemon.[8] It is also said to taste like an unripe, watered-down banana. A small amount of salt or sugar can increase the flavor. Some also eat the peel, which is very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber.[9] The fruit can be used in cooking, but when eaten raw, most suck out the pulp and spit out the seeds.

Despite the fruit's colorful appearance, it has not found any significant uses in Western cuisine, and has been called "astringent", and the prices "exorbitant".[10]

Germination

Seeding optimum germination temperatures are between 20° and 35°C (68° to 95°F). Germination is delayed at 12°C (54°F), and inhibited at temperatures lower than 12°C or above 35°C. Thus, it is recommended to sow in trays and transplant into the field at the two true leaf stage. The best time for transplanting into an open field is in the spring when soil and air temperatures rise to around 15°C (59°F).

Pests and diseases

It was found that kiwano is resistant to several root-knot nematodes, two accessions were found to be highly resistant to Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV-1), but very sensitive to the Squash mosaic virus (SqMV). Some accessions were found to succumb to Fusarium wilt. Resistance to Greenhouse whitefly was reported. Kiwano was reported to be resistant to Powdery mildew, however in Israel powdery mildew as well as the Squash mosaic virus (SqMV) attacked kiwano fields and measures had to be taken.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Kiwano information - Exotic fruits | Nature's Pride". www.naturespride.eu. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  2. ↑ Welman, Mienkie. "Cucumis metuliferus". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Living - Kiwano: It's what's inside that counts - Seattle Times Newspaper". nwsource.com.
  4. ↑ (French) Parc de Khal-agadi, pas si désert, in Science & Vie n° 1130, November 2011, pp. 18-21.
  5. ↑ Ben-Erik Van Wyk (2000). People's Plants: A guide to useful plants of southern Africa. South Africa: Briza Publications. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-875093-19-9. Retrieved 2015-01-10.
  6. ↑ Lim, T. K. (2012-01-30). Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 2, Fruits. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9789400717633.
  7. ↑ "dehisce". TheFreeDictionary.com.
  8. ↑ "The Dinner Diva: Let's discover some more little-known fruits". DeseretNews.com. 21 February 2008.
  9. ↑ "Mountain Herb Estate - VEGETABLE - CUCUMBER, AFRICAN HORNED, Jelly Melon, Kiwano, Rooi-agurkie, Rooikomkommer (Afr.), Mokapana (Tswana) (Cucumis metuliferus)". www.herbgarden.co.za. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  10. ↑ Elizabeth Schneider. Vegetables from Amaranth to Zucchini. William Morrow. p. 345. ISBN 0-688-15260-0.
  11. ↑ Benzioni, Aliza. "Kiwano". www.hort.purdue.edu. Purdue University. Retrieved 3 June 2015.

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