Paddy melon | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Cucurbitales |
Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
Genus: | Cucumis |
Species: | C. myriocarpus |
Binomial name | |
Cucumis myriocarpus E. Mey. ex Naud. |
The paddy melon (Cucumis myriocarpus) is a prostrate or climbing annual herb native to southern Africa. It has round spiky yellow-green or green-striped fruit; the fruit and foliage are toxic due to the presence of cucurbitacin. The plant has been known to kill livestock. It has been used by humans as an emetic.[1]
The melon is a weed in Australia and in California, where it may also be known as prickly paddy melon, bitter apple, and gooseberry gourd.[1]
The plant occurs in Spain, where it is naturalized and known by the common names of "habanera" or "sandÃa habanera."[1]