Citrullus lanatus (100 seeds)

Citrullus lanatus (100 seeds)

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Common name: African wild water melon

This is the African version of the water melon. An annual herb with long (up to 10 m) stems lying or creeping on the ground, with curly tendrils. Leaves are 5-20 by 3-19 cm, and hairy, usually deeply palmate with 3-5 lobes. Flowers 1-2.5 cm long, pale green. Fruit of wild plants 1.5-20 cm in diameter, sub-globose, greenish, mottled with darker green. Fruits vary considerably in morphology. The fruits are a perfect round shape with beautiful patterns on and is edible though slightly bitter. It is a favorite by farmers’ wives to make jam.

Sowing instructions: Sow seeds directly into the soil.

Locality: Soetdoring. Harvest: March 2025