cucamelon

Also known as: mouse melon

Melothria scabra is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial climber, usually grown as an annual, 2.5-3m high, with double-spiralled tendrils, rough-textured green leaves, 3-7cm long with three or five lobes, small yellow flowers about 4mm across in summer, and olive-shaped fruits which are usually about 2.5cm but up to 4cm long and dark green with bands of pale green mottling, in late summer and early autumn; the fruits are edible with an acidic cucumber taste and crunchy texture

Scientific classification

Species: cucamelon (Melothria scabra)
Genus: Melothria
Family: Cucurbitaceae

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Toxicity: Annual Biennial · Conservatory Greenhouse · Fruit Edible · Herbaceous Perennial
Plant type: 2.5-4 metres
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Climbing
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

cucamelon pictures

Distribution of cucamelon

Distribution map

Mexico

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of cucamelon

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cucamelon care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

No pruning needed

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 22-24°C in spring

Growing

Sow seeds in spring and keep at 22-24°C until germination, grow on at 18-21°C or plant out in moist but well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position once all risk of frost has passed, and provide support such as netting; roots may be lifted and stored overwinter in just-moist compost in a frost-free place and re-planted the following spring

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