Cucumis anguria L.
var. anguria

Images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record

Photo: Bart Wursten
Catapu, Sofala.

Records and maps: Display species records Map species by: altitude rainfall geology Map species using Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Cucumis ficifolius sensu Wild Cucumis longipes Hook. f.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Annual herb with prostrate or climbing stems up to 3 m long, with spreading bristly hairs. Leaves broadly ovate in outline, up to 10 × 12.5 cm, usually deeply 3-7 lobed, with bristly hairs on both surfaces, becoming roughly puntate; margin finely sinuate-denticulate; petiole 2-12 cm long, with long spreading bristly hairs. Flowers unisexual on the same plant, yellow. Male flowers in 2-10-flowered axillary clusters, c. 1.4 cm in diameter; female flowers solitary, c. 2 cm in diameter, sometimes in the same cluster as male flowers. Fruits subglobose or ellipsoid, up to 4.5 × 3.5 cm covered in soft spines, green, sometimes with pales stripes, turning pale yellow when ripe; fruit stalk 5-21 cm long, somewhat expanded upwards.
Notes:	- The fruits of this species are edible and the taste is similar to that of the commercial cucumber. - This species is generally similar to Cucumis zeyheri but that species, apart from being a perennial with very bitter, inedible fruit, has shorter, backwardly pointed bristly hairs on stems and petioles; has generally smaller, more globose fruits and much longer fruit stalks that are expanded towards the fruit.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	In open woodland and wooded grassland or in abandoned cultivation, often on kalahari sand.
Altitude range: (metres)	Up to 1500 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in tropical Africa, Australia and America but probably only native to Southern Africa, particularly the kalahari sand region.
Zimbabwe distribution:	N,W,C,E,S
Growth form:
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects (whose larvae eat this species):
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Saturday 28 April 2012
Literature:	Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 51. Jeffrey, C. (1978). Cucurbitaceae FZ 4 Pages 164 - 165. Jeffrey, C. & Fernandes, R.B. (1986). 80. Cucurbitaceae Flora de Moçambique Pages 73 - 75. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 38. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 45.

Comments

comments powered by Disqus

Other sources of information about Cucumis anguria:

Flora of Mozambique: Cucumis anguria
African Plant Database: Cucumis anguria
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Cucumis anguria
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Cucumis anguria
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Cucumis anguria
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Cucumis anguria
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Cucumis anguria
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Cucumis anguria
JSTOR Plant Science: Cucumis anguria
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Cucumis anguria
Tropicos: Cucumis anguria
West African Plants database: Cucumis anguria

Cucumis anguria L. var. anguria