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.
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What family is watermelon in?
watermelon, (Citrullus lanatus), succulent fruit and vinelike plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to tropical Africa and cultivated around the world. The fruit contains vitamin A and some vitamin C and is usually eaten raw.
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.
What is watermelon a symbol of?
Watermelons are quite popular and have deep symbolism in many cultures. They symbolize fertility, intellect, and happiness. Seeing them in your dreams can also have many positive connotations.
The Melon Family, Cucurbitaceae, is a plant family commonly known as melons, gourds or cucurbits and includes crops like cucumbers, squashes (including pumpkins), luffas, melons (including watermelons).
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 watermelon a vegetable or a berry?
Watermelon is a Vegetable
It is planted from seeds or seedlings, harvested, and then cleared from the field like other vegetables. According to Webster’s dictionary, a vegetable is anything made or obtained from plants (2004).
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.
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.
Get ready to have your fruit-loving minds blown: Watermelons are berries. And so are cucumbers, cantaloupes, squash and pumpkins. Scientifically called pepos, these fruits fall into a specific category of berry—one with a tough rind, multiple flat seeds and pulpy flesh.
What does the Bible say about watermelon?
The word watermelon is mentioned only once in the Bible. In Numbers 11: 5-6, the freed Hebrews, fed on a manna-only diet, lament the rich variety of food they gave up in leaving Egypt.
What do fruits symbolize?
Often it is a symbol of abundance, associated with goddesses of fertility, plenty, and the harvest. Sometimes, however, fruit represents earthly pleasures, overindulgence, and temptation. Specific kinds of fruit have acquired their own symbolic meanings in the myths and legends of different cultures.
Is it healthy to eat watermelon?
Watermelon — which can actually be considered a fruit or a vegetable, according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board — is incredibly nutritious, too. Nutritionists say watermelon is low in calories and sugar and chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a great addition to a healthy diet.
Why do cucumbers taste like watermelon?
Plus, sharp-nosed people can tell that – depending on the variety – cucumbers already have a mild melon-like smell and taste. This comes from compounds called aldehydes. There’s a particular aldehyde called trans,cis-2,6-nonadienal that’s found in both cucumbers and melon, and this could be the crucial component.
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.
Can dogs eat watermelon?
The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions. First, seeds could cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. It’s also a good idea to remove the rind because it can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Why is strawberry Not a berry?
Surprisingly, eggplants, tomatoes and avocados are botanically classified as berries. And the popular strawberry is not a berry at all. Botanists call the strawberry a “false fruit,” a pseudocarp. A strawberry is actually a multiple fruit which consists of many tiny individual fruits embedded in a fleshy receptacle.
Is a banana really a berry?
It turns out that blackberries, mulberries, and raspberries are not berries at all, but bananas, pumpkins, avocados and cucumbers are. So what makes a berry? Well, a berry has seeds and pulp (properly called “pericarp”) that develop from the ovary of a flower.
How did watermelon get its name?
How did the watermelon get its common name? The C. lanatus produces a fruit that is about 93% water, making it the majority of it water, hence the name “water” melon. The “melon” part came from the fact that the fruit is large and round and has a sweet, pulpy flesh.
Is watermelon good for diabetes?
Watermelon is safe for people with diabetes to eat in moderation. However, it is best to consume watermelon and other high GI fruits alongside foods that contain plenty of nutritious fats, fiber, and protein.
What are the benefits of watermelon?
The Top 9 Health Benefits of Watermelon
- Helps you stay hydrated.
- Packed with nutrients and beneficial plant compounds.
- May have anticancer effects.
- May improve heart health.
- May reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
- May help prevent macular degeneration.
- May relieve muscle soreness.
- May aid skin health.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.