Cucumber, melon, and watermelon are originally from the Old World (primarily Africa and Asia). Although they are in the same family (Cucurbitaceae) with the squashes, pumpkins, and gourds (mostly of the genus Cucurbita ), they are only distantly related.
Watermelon is a member of the cucurbitaceae plant family of gourds (classified as Citrullus lantus), related to the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin (Maynard, 2001). It is planted from seeds or seedlings, harvested, and then cleared from the field like other vegetables.
What other fruits are in the pumpkin family?
The following is a list of some of the major genera and species in Cucurbitaceae, arranged alphabetically by common name.
- bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
- bur cucumber (genus Sicyos)
- bryony (genus Bryonia)
- genus Citrullus.
- chayote (Sechium edule)
- genus Cucumis.
- loofah (genus Luffa)
- musk cucumber (Sicana odorifera)
What family does watermelon belong to?
watermelon, (Citrullus lanatus), succulent fruit and vinelike plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to tropical Africa and cultivated around the world.
It’s loosely considered a melon, but it is not a part of the melon genus. Watermelons actually have quite a lot in common with squash, but they’re also not squash. When you look at the “family tree” of a watermelon it shares the Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, and Family of squash.
Cantaloupe is in the same family as squashes, pumpkins, gourds and cucumbers. It grows on a vine on the ground. The difference between a cantaloupe and a squash is in the way we use them. Squashes are eaten as vegetables, while cantaloupes are thought of as a sweet fruit.
Is watermelon a man made fruit?
They started out as small, hard, bitter fruits, somewhere in Southern or Western Africa. As generations of people selectively planted seeds from fruits that were larger and tastier, they created the sweet, red watermelon we know today.
Where did watermelon come from?
Scientists agree that the watermelon’s progenitor—the ur-watermelon, if you will—was cultivated in Africa before spreading north into Mediterranean countries and, later, to other parts of Europe.
What are watermelons made of?
Watermelon consists mostly of water (91%) and carbs (7.5%). It provides almost no protein or fat and is very low in calories.
What is part of the pumpkin family?
Pumpkins, squash, and gourds are all part of the Cucurbitaceae family, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. This large plant family includes more than 900 species, including everything from orange pumpkins to watermelons to cucumbers.
Is watermelon a vegetable or a berry?
There are a few foods that have sparked debate over whether they are a fruit or a vegetable. Is a watermelon a fruit or a vegetable? According to watermelon.org, like the pepper, tomato, and pumpkin, watermelon is a fruit, botanically. It is the fruit of a plant originally from a vine of southern Africa.
Is watermelon a berry or a fruit?
The elongated tough-skinned fruits of the family Cucurbitaceae, including watermelons, cucumbers, and gourds, are a type of berry referred to as pepos. Any small fleshy fruit is popularly called a berry, especially if it is edible.
Is a watermelon a cucumber?
Cucumbers are actually a fruit — and they belong to the same family as watermelon. Aside from their size and the thickness of their outer rind, one of the main differences between the two is the level of sweetness. Cucumbers are mild and refreshing, watermelons are much sweeter.
Do pumpkins cross pollinate with watermelon?
Pumpkins and squashes do not cross-pollinate with cucumbers, watermelons or citron. Watermelons and citron both belong to the same genus: Citrullus and, therefore, will cross-pollinate each other. Muskmelon, cantaloupe and Casaba melons will cross since they are both in the genus Cucumis and in the same species melo.
The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: Cucurbita – squash, pumpkin, zucchini, some gourds. Lagenaria – calabash, and others that are inedible. Citrullus – watermelon (C.
Are pumpkins melons or squash?
Taxonomy. All pumpkins are winter squash, mature fruit of certain species in the genus Cucurbita.
How do you know if you’re allergic to watermelon?
A skin prick test is the most common way to diagnose a watermelon allergy. The test involves pricking the skin and placing a small sample of watermelon on the area. If a person is allergic, a raised bump is likely to appear on the skin after a few minutes. Results of a blood test can also indicate an allergy.
Originally posted by Ishan451: Cucumbers are gourds (or rather vegetables), bananas are fruit. They have nothing in common. They don’t really look all that similar.
Is watermelon and cucumber in the same family?
Watermelons and cucumbers are members of the Cucurbitaceae family, and they have similar growing needs: lots of sun, lots of room for their vines to spread (a fence, cage or trellis can help manage them in a smaller space), consistent moisture and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil.
Does watermelon cause you to poop?
Watermelon. It doesn’t have a lot of fiber, but it’s 92% water, and that can encourage a bowel movement.
Is potato man made?
Potatoes were domesticated there approximately 7,000–10,000 years ago, from a species in the Solanum brevicaule complex. In the Andes region of South America, where the species is indigenous, some close relatives of the potato are cultivated.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.