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Citrullus lanatus
  • Watermelon
    •  
  • Water Melon

a fruit vine or creeper of the Citrullus genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid, neutral, alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Citrullus lanatus has 0 edible uses listed
Citrullus lanatus has 0 material uses listed
Citrullus lanatus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Botanical description

The fruit varies considerably in size from cultivar to cultivar, but can be up to 1 metre long and 40cm wide[16].

Uses

Toxic parts

The sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo[17].

Edible uses

Notes

The seed contains about 30% protein, 20 - 40% oil[6]. A full nutritional analysis is available[9].

Fruit

Raw as a Fruit
Juiced as a Drink, Syrup
Pectin
Cooked, raw, roasted as a Vegetable

Leaves

Cooked as a Greens, Leaf vegetable

The leaves can be eaten cooked as a leaf vegetable.

Unknown part

Oil

Seed

Raw, Cooked as an Unknown use
Dried as a Flour

Material uses

The seed contains 20 - 40% oil. As well as being edible, it is also used for making soap and for lighting[13]. Face masks made from the fruit are used as a cosmetic on delicate skins[18].

Unknown part

Oil

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The seed is demulcent, diuretic, pectoral and tonic[19][9]. It is sometimes used in the treatment of the urinary passages[19] and has been used to treat bed wetting[20]. The seed is also a good vermifuge[19] and has a hypotensive action[18]. A fatty oil in the seed, as well as aqueous or alcoholic extracts, paralyze tapeworms and roundworms[10].

The fruit, eaten when fully ripe or even when almost putrid, is used as a febrifuge[19] The fruit is also diuretic, being effective in the treatment of dropsy and renal stones[18]. The fruit contains the substance lycopine (which is also found in the skins of tomatoes). This substance has been shown to protect the body from heart attacks and, in the case of the tomato at least, is more effective when it is cooked[21]. The rind of the fruit is prescribed in cases of alcoholic poisoning and diabetes[9].

The root is purgative and in large dose is said to be a certain emetic[19].

Unknown part

Cardiac
Demulcent
Diuretic
Enuresis
Febrifuge
Pectoral
Purgative
Tonic
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse. Either put 2-3 seeds in each pot and thin to the best plant, or prick out the seedlings into individual pots of rich soil as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow them on fast and, if trying them outside, plant out after the last expected frosts. Give them some protection, such as a cloche or a frame, at least until they are growing away vigorously.

Seed

Rooted cuttings

Grafted cuttings

Bulb

Cultivation

Prefers a rich sandy loam and a very sunny position[1][13][16]. A drought resistant plant once established, it is intolerant of wet soils[13]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.3 to 8.

The water melon is frequently grown for its edible fruit in warm temperate and tropical areas, there are many named varieties[5]. It is not frost hardy and requires a long hot summer if it is to fruit well. It is not really a suitable crop for growing outdoors in Britain at the present time, though it is possible that new faster maturing cultivars will be developed. It is best grown in greenhouse conditions in Britain[K]. The cultivars 'Fordbrook hybrid', New Hampshire midget' and 'Sugar baby' mature in 80 - 85 days in Long Island, New York[16].

A good companion plant for potatoes[22].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Citrullus lanatus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Citrullus lanatus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Citrullus lanatus
Genus
Citrullus
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][9][10][11][16][7][12][13][14][8][15][6]
Medicinal uses
[19][9][20][18][10][21]
Material uses & Functions
[13][18]
Botanic
[16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
?
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
?
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
yellow, green
Flower Type
dioecious

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"image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Watermelon-garden.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.




References

  1. ? 1.01.11.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods. ()
  4. ? 4.04.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (32202/01/01)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber (32202/01/01)
  8. ? 8.08.18.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (32202/01/01)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (32202/01/01)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (32202/01/01)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (32202/01/01)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Organ. J. Gourds. Faber (32202/01/01)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.5 Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. ISBN 0802707699 (32202/01/01)
  14. ? 14.014.1 RHS Lily Group. Lilies and Related Plants. ()
  15. ? 15.015.1 Evans. R. L. Handbook of Cultivated Sedums. Science Reviews (32202/01/01)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
  17. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (32202/01/01)
  18. ? 18.018.118.218.318.4 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)
  19. ? 19.019.119.219.319.419.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (32202/01/01)
  20. ? 20.020.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (32202/01/01)
  21. ? 21.021.1 Radio 4 AM - (32202/01/01)
  22. ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (32202/01/01)



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Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Citrullus_lanatus&oldid=82134"
Facts about "Citrullus lanatus"RDF feed
Article is incompleteFalse +
Article requires citationsFalse +
Article requires cleanupFalse +
Belongs to familyCucurbitaceae +
Belongs to genusCitrullus +
Has binomial nameCitrullus lanatus +
Has common nameWatermelon + and Water Melon +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partFruit +, Leaves +, Unknown part + and Seed +
Has edible useFruit +, Drink +, Syrup +, Greens +, Leaf vegetable +, Oil +, Pectin +, Unknown use +, Flour + and Vegetable +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has flowers of colouryellow + and green +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has hardiness zone9 +
Has imageWatermelon-garden.jpg +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useOil +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useCardiac +, Demulcent +, Diuretic +, Enuresis +, Febrifuge +, Pectoral +, Purgative +, Tonic + and Vermifuge +
Has primary imageWatermelon-garden.jpg +
Has search namecitrullus lanatus +, watermelon + and water melon +
Has seed requiring scarificationFalse +
Has seed requiring stratificationFalse +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameCitrullus lanatus +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is grown fromSeed +, Cutting +, Graft +, Bulb +, Tuber +, Suckers + and Layering +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
Tolerates air pollutionFalse +
Tolerates maritime exposureFalse +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilFalse +
Tolerates windFalse +
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