Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Cucurbitales
Genus:
Species:
africanus
ID:
629459

Status:
valid

Authors:
L.f.

Source:
cmp

Year:
1782

Citation Micro:
Suppl. Pl. : 423 (1782)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000628791

Common Names

  • African Cucumis
  • African False Daisy
  • African Daisy

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Synonyms

  • Cucumis arenarius Schrad. [unknown]
  • Cucumis dipsaceus Wender. ex Steud. [unknown]
  • Cucumis hookeri Naudin [unknown]

Description

Cucumis africanus (also called African Cucumber, among many other common names) is an annual herbaceous plant with a height of up to 0.6 m. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, and is found in moist meadows, grasslands, and forest edges.

Uses & Benefits

Cucumis africanus is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, malaria, and other ailments. It is also used as a vegetable and as a food preservative.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Cucumis africanus is small and white, with five petals and a yellow center. The seed is small and black, and the seedlings are long and thin with dark green leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Cucumis africanus is a warm season annual that can be grown from seed. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. The seeds should be planted in early spring, 1/2 inch deep and spaced 12-18 inches apart. The plants should be watered regularly and fertilized every two to three weeks. The fruits should be harvested when they are ripe and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Where to Find Cucumis africanus

Cucumis africanus is found in tropical Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Angola.

Cucumis africanus FAQ

What is the scientific name of Cucumis africanus?

Cucumis africanus

What is the common name of Cucumis africanus?

Cucumis africanus

What is the family of Cucumis africanus?

Cucumis africanus

Species in the Cucumis genus

Cucumis rumphianus, Cucumis aetheocarpus, Cucumis bryoniifolius, Cucumis cinereus, Cucumis clavipetiolatus, Cucumis debilis, Cucumis engleri, Cucumis gracilis, Cucumis indicus, Cucumis javanicus, Cucumis kelleri, Cucumis kirkbridei, Cucumis leiospermus, Cucumis messorius, Cucumis reticulatus, Cucumis ritchiei, Cucumis silentvalleyi, Cucumis aculeatus, Cucumis africanus, Cucumis anguria, Cucumis asper, Cucumis baladensis, Cucumis canoxyi, Cucumis carolinus, Cucumis dipsaceus, Cucumis ficifolius, Cucumis globosus, Cucumis hastatus, Cucumis heptadactylus, Cucumis hirsutus, Cucumis humofructus, Cucumis hystrix, Cucumis insignis, Cucumis jeffreyanus, Cucumis kalahariensis, Cucumis maderaspatanus, Cucumis meeusei, Cucumis melo, Cucumis metuliferus, Cucumis myriocarpus, Cucumis picrocarpus, Cucumis prophetarum, Cucumis pubituberculatus, Cucumis pustulatus, Cucumis quintanilhae, Cucumis rigidus, Cucumis rostratus, Cucumis sacleuxii, Cucumis sagittatus, Cucumis sativus,

Species in the Cucurbitaceae family

Abobra tenuifolia, Acanthosicyos horridus, Actinostemma lobatum, Actinostemma parvifolium, Actinostemma tenerum, Alsomitra macrocarpa, Ampelosicyos humblotii, Ampelosicyos major, Ampelosicyos meridionalis, Ampelosicyos scandens, Ampelosicyos bosseri, Ampelosicyos leandrii, Ampelosycios meridionalis, Ampelosycios scandens, Apodanthera anatuyana, Apodanthera argentea, Apodanthera aspera, Apodanthera biflora, Apodanthera bradei, Apodanthera cinerea, Apodanthera eriocalyx, Apodanthera fasciculata, Apodanthera ferreyrana, Apodanthera glaziovii, Apodanthera hindii, Apodanthera hirtella, Apodanthera laciniosa, Apodanthera linearis, Apodanthera mandonii, Apodanthera mathewsii, Apodanthera palmeri, Apodanthera sagittifolia, Apodanthera smilacifolia, Apodanthera succulenta, Apodanthera tumbeziana, Apodanthera ulei, Apodanthera undulata, Apodanthera villosa, Apodanthera weberbaueri, Apodanthera longipedicellata, Austrobryonia argillicola, Austrobryonia centralis, Austrobryonia micrantha, Austrobryonia pilbarensis, Baijiania borneensis, Baijiania taiwaniana, Baijiania decipiens, Baijiania smitinandii, Bambekea racemosa, Bayabusua clarkei,

References