Melothria scabra
Melothria scabra Naudin
Melothria scabra, known by several common names including cucamelon and Mexican sour cucumber, is a species in the Cucurbitaceae family. It is native to regions from Mexico to Venezuela and is cultivated for its small, grape-sized edible fruit. The fruit has a cucumber-like flavor with a slight sourness. This species was described in 1866 by Naudin.
Description
Melothria scabra is a flowering plant in the Cucurbitaceae family, native to areas including Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It is grown for its edible fruit, which is small, roughly the size of a grape, and has a taste similar to cucumber with a hint of sourness. The species was first described in 1866 by the botanist Naudin. It is also known by a variety of common names, such as Mexican miniature watermelon, mouse melon, and pepquino. The plant's distribution includes regions such as Antioquia, Boyacá, and Tolima in Colombia, as well as El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and parts of Mexico and Venezuela.
Distribution
Antioquia, Boyacá, Tolima · SE · Colombia · El Salvador · Guatemala · Honduras · Mexico Central · Mexico Northeast · Mexico Northwest · Mexico Southeast · Mexico Southwest · Nicaragua · Panamá · Venezuela
Synonyms
Melothria donnell-smithiiMelothria donnell-smithii var. hirtellaMelothria donnell-smithii var. rotundifoliaMelothria costensis
