Cucumis africanus

Cucumis africanus, the wild cucumber or wild gherkin, is a species of cucumber belonging to the genus Cucumis. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus the Younger. The species is native to Southern Africa.

Description

A pumpkin family herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is a straggling plant with a rough surface. The leaves have 3-5 lobes. The middle lobe is largest. The tendrils are short and weak. The leaves are 8 cm long on stalks 7 cm long. The female flowers are yellow and 2 cm long. The male flowers are smaller and in clusters. The fruit are oval and 8 cm long by 4 cm across. They are yellow when ripe. The fruit are covered with stiff spines. Some fruit are bitter. Non bitter kinds have to be chosen.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are eaten as a potherb. The fruit can be eaten raw (non-bitter varieties preferred) or cooked and strained. Seeds are also edible.

Traditional Uses

Young leaves are eaten as a potherb. The bitter fruit are occasionally eaten raw. They are also cooked and strained.

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Medicinal Uses

In South African traditional medicine the fruit, leaf or root is used as an emetic, purgative or enema in the treatment of various ailments. The boiled leaf is used as a poultice.

Known Hazards

Some fruit are bitter and should be avoided; only non-bitter varieties should be selected for consumption.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in deep dry sandy soils. It grows in hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It grows between 150-2,115 m above sea level. It is not common in Swaziland. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

A plant of drier areas in the tropics - in S. Africa it grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 100 - 800mm. Succeeds in full sun and also grows well in partial shade in very sunny areas. Leaves are larger and less hairy when the plant is given some shade. There are three basic forms of this species:- Plants with non-bitter, large and oblong fruits are found growing wild in Angola, Namibia and South Africa. A form with smaller, ellipsoid fruits is also - these fruits are bitter, possibly poisonous and unsuitable for consumption. A third type, intermediate in taste and shape between the first two, seems to exist as well.

Other Information

It is an important crop in South Africa. It is cultivated.

Notes

There are about 25-30 Cucumis species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Duno, Etanga, Huhaqn, Konkomba, Lekatane, Magabala, Mapukupuka, Mogabala, Monyaki, Monyaku, Moshishiwau, Mugaika, Mukake, Mutete, Nku, Toa, Tshinyagu, Uhufafa, Isendlenja, Umaselwane, Uthangazana, Wildeagurkie

References (30)

• Akinola, R., et al, 2020, A Review of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa and the Implications for more Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3493; (
• Arnold, T.H., Wells, M.J. & Wehmeyer, A.S., Khoisan food plants: taxa with potential for future economic exploitation, in Wickens, G.E., Goodin, J.R., and Field, D.V.,(Eds.) 1985, Plants for Arid Lands. Unwin Hyman, London, p 73
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 85
• Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 79
• Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 171

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