Kiwano

annual vine in the cucumber and melon family
(Redirected from African cucumber)

Kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus), also known as horned melon, is a sweet tropical fruit. It is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family, Cucurbitaceae. It is also called "horned melon" since its fruit has horn-like spines. When ripe, the fruit has orange skin and lime green, jelly-like flesh. Kiwano is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is now grown in the United States, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.

Horned melon
Cucumis metuliferus fruit
Fruit in cross section showing green flesh
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Cucumis
Species:
C. metuliferus
Binomial name
Cucumis metuliferus

Kiwano 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. In northern Zimbabwe, it is called gaka or gakachika. There it is primarily used as a snack or salad, and rarely for decoration.