Tropical Plant "Watermelon"
Citrullus lanatus

Characteristics - The watermelon is a fruit bearer originally from Africa, widely cultivated throughout the country. It is an herbaceous annual, a trailing vine with sarmetose, pubescent stems. Leaves membranaceous, irregular and deeply lobed, 15-20 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary, unisexual, each female inserted in a group of 7 male flowers. Fruits are berry type, the shape varies depending on the cultivar; spherical for those of Japanese origin and cilin-drical for those of American origin. The cycle, from planting seeds to harvest varies from 75-120 days. The photos that follow, show the main cultivars grown in Brazil, while those on this page are of the "Congo" cultivar.

Uses - The fruits are consumed exclusively in natura and greatly appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.