Melothria scabra

Melothria scabra
Vine with fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Cucurbitaceae
Genus:	Melothria
Species:	M. scabra
Binomial name
Melothria scabra Naudin

Melothria scabra is a vine grown for its edible fruit. Fruit are about the size of grapes and taste like cucumbers with a tinge of sourness. Vernacular names include mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, cucamelon, Mexican miniature watermelon and Mexican sour cucumber.

This plant is native to Mexico and Central America, where it is called sandita (little watermelon). It is believed to have been a domesticated crop before western contact began.

External links

• Article from Mother Earth News
• Article from Bihrmann's Caudiciforms
• PlantFiles on Dave's Garden