Melon (Cucumis melo)

What the plant is

Cucumis melo L. is the species name used by the source record for melon, a crop the record describes as cultivated worldwide. Kew's Plants of the World Online lookup is the taxonomic reference for the name.

The record gives only the English name melon and no regional names, so this page does not cover local cultivars.

Where it came from

Kerje and Grum's review of the literature on melon origin concludes that the origin 'appears to be Africa'. They link the split of the species into subspecies melo and agrestis to wild melons spread by people into Asia. The conclusion is hedged, and the authors call for study of diverse wild germplasm, especially from Africa, before the origin can be confirmed.

Wild forms and domestication

The wild melons discussed in that review are non-edible. The authors suggest that today's sweet wild melon probably results from domestication and cultivation, since melons hybridise frequently in nature.

This is a taxonomic and historical account. It does not describe harvest, storage or any food preparation.

Food parts and gaps

The source record gives no edible part, ripeness stage or preparation for this species. Fruit flesh and seeds need their own sources before any use is recorded here. Melon seeds are documented on a separate ingredient candidate, melon-seed-cucumis-melo, and are not covered on this page.

No cultivar, yield, storage or food-safety evidence is established by the sources used here.

Identification and safety limits

Reference and research only. Fermenta cannot identify a gathered specimen or guarantee that it is safe to eat. Competent local identification is needed before eating any wild plant.

The inspected sources do not supply lookalikes or a collection rule for this species. A common name is not an identification.