Description

General aspect and origins - Cucumis metuliferus, which belongs to the cucumber family, is a plant with many names, such as horned melon, African horned melon, jelly melon, ... and more recently, kiwano. This latter commercial name was given in New-Zealand. The kiwano is an annual climber which is native to Southern and Central Africa. This plant is grown for its ornamental and edible fruits. It is mainly grown in Israël, Keny, New-Zealand and the USDA.
Leaves - Leaves are hairy, and are as wide as long.
Flowers - The kiwano is a monoecious vine which is self-fertile.
Fruits - The kiwano is also known as horned melon, African horned melon or jelly melon. This ovoïd fruit, which is about 4 in (10 cm) long, has a strange aspect : its yellow-orange skin is covered with spines. ("horns") Its juicy flesh is green and transluscent, and contains a lot of seeds.
This fruit is generally eaten raw, or transformed into juice.

Culture

This annual vine is not frost hardy.
Soil - Cucumis metuliferus prefers a well-drained and fertile ground, but also needs to be regularly watered.

Propagation

The kiwano is propagated by seeds.