Cucumis — 22 species
Botanical species in the genus Cucumis recorded in the PlantPeers database.


Cucumis africanus
Cucumis africanus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
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.
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Cucumis anguria
Cucumis anguria
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Cucumis anguria is cultivated mainly in the tropics and subtropics, though it can also succeed in regions of the temperate zone with long, hot summers. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 28°c, but can tolerate 8 - 32°c. The plant cannot tolerate frost.
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Cucumis dipsaceus
Cucumis dipsaceus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
A plant of drier areas in the lowland tropics, ascending to elevations up to 2,000 metres. Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained soil. The plant has become widely naturalized in the tropics and is considered to be invasive in some areas.
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Cucumis hirsutus
Cucumis hirsutus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Often found in sandy soils in the wild. Prefers a well-drained soil. This species does not hybridize with other members of the genus.
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Cucumis kalahariensis
Cucumis kalahariensis
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
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Cucumis melo
Cucumis melo
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Melons are cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where they can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis melo agrestis
Cucumis melo agrestis
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Melons are cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where they can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis melo cantalupensis
Cucumis melo cantalupensis
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
The Cantaloupe melon is cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where they can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis melo chito
Cucumis melo chito
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
The Orange Melon can be cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where it can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis melo conomon
Cucumis melo conomon
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Pickling melons can be cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where they can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis melo dudaim
Cucumis melo dudaim
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
The pocket melon can be cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where it can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis melo flexuosus
Cucumis melo flexuosus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Serpent melons can be cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where they can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis melo inodorus
Cucumis melo inodorus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Honeydew melons can be cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where they can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis melo momordica
Cucumis melo momordica
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Snap melons are cultivated from the warm temperate zone through to the tropics, where they can be grown at elevations up to 1,000 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 30°c, but can tolerate 9 - 35°c. They are killed by frost.
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Cucumis metulifer
Cucumis metulifer
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
The horned melon is a warm-season plant growing in tropical to subtropical and warm temperate regions, and does not tolerate cold conditions. It occurs at elevations from near sea level to 1,800 metres. A semi-arid climate with a warm-season rainfall regime appears to enhance the fruit ripening stage, allowing fruits to develop their full flavour.
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Cucumis myriocarpus
Cucumis myriocarpus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in southern Europe, California and Australia. Locally it is considered a weed; in California it has been declared noxious. In southern Africa it is an important weed in maize fields and the poisoning of cattle grazing the stubble of weedy fields is a serious risk.
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Cucumis prophetarum
Cucumis prophetarum
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
A plant of low to moderate elevations in the drier areas of the tropics. It grows in Tanzania in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 600 - 1,300mm.
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Cucumis sativus
Cucumis sativus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
Cucumbers can be cultivated in any area where there is a sufficiently long, warm growing season, from the temperate zone to the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 32°c, but can tolerate 6 - 38°c. It is not frost tolerant.
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Cucumis zeyheri
Cucumis zeyheri
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation
The plant hybridizes with a number of other species related to the gherkin, including Cucumis anguria (the gherkin), Cucumis africanus and Cucumis myriocarpus.
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