Cucumis africanus

Cucumis anguria (Gherkin, West Indian gherkin)  

The Gherkin originates from southwestern Africa and the wild form (bitter with spikey fruit, leaves and stems) is widely distributed in the northern parts of southern Africa. The Gherkin is thought to have been brought to the West Indies in the slave trade days (probably from Angola), where it became popular as a vegetable. The most common use of gherkins is to pickle them when young but they also boiled fresh and eaten as a vegetable.

Cucumis aspera

Cucumis bryoniifolius

[= Cucumella bryoniifolia]

Recorded from Zimbabwe.

Cucumis cinereus

Cucumis clavipetiolatus

Cucumis heptadactylus

Cucumis hirsutus

Cucumis humifructus

Cucumis kalahariensis

Cucumis maderaspatanus

[= Mukia maderaspatana]

Cucumis meeusei

Cucumis melo (Muskmelon, including wintermelon and spanspek)

The wild Muskmelon has an indigenous distribution over the desert and savanna regions of Africa, Arabia, southwestern Asia and Australia, including in southern Africa, and was domesticated in Africa and southwestern Asia more than 4000 years ago. It now comes in a range of forms including those with netted rinds (e.g. spanspek / cantaloup) and those with smooth rinds (e.g. wintermelon). Melons are usually eaten fresh as an hors d'oeuvre at the beginning of the meal or as a dessert fruit at the end of the meal.

Cucumis metuliferus (Jelly melon, African horned cucumber, Kiwano)

Native to African woodlands and grasslands, prefering those regions with a hot climate. Within southern Africa, it occurs in Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa (Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal). It has become a weed in Queensland, Australia. The fruit is distinctive in having short horn-like processes widely spaced over its surface. It turns orange when ripe.

Cucumis myriocarpus (Prickly paddymelon)

Cucumis oreosyce

Cucumis quintanilhae

Cucumis rigidus

Cucumis sagittatus

Cucumis zeyheri

Cucumis dipsaceus

Native to NE Africa.

Cucumis ficifolius

Native to tropical Africa.

Cucumis prophetarum

Indigenous from tropical Africa through to Arabia.

Cucumis sativus (Cucumber)

Originates from a wild species growing in India that was domesticated more than 2000 years ago. Cucumbers today are mainly grown in hothouses. They are usually eaten sliced in salads or on sandwiches but are also blended up for cold sauces and soups. Less commonly, they are used in cooked dishes. Young cucumbers are pickled as gherkins (see true Gherkin).