Citrullus: members of this genus are often grouped simply as “watermelons.” There are many varieties of them that we will discuss later. Cucumis: this genus includes the cucumber (C. sativus) as well as the largest varietal species of melon: C. melo.
What is watermelon classified?
According to watermelon.org, like the pepper, tomato, and pumpkin, watermelon is a fruit, botanically. It is the fruit of a plant originally from a vine of southern Africa. Watermelon is a member of the cucurbitaceae plant family of gourds (classified as Citrullus lantus), related to the cucumber, squash and pumpkin.
Is a watermelon a berry or a gourd?
Get ready to have your fruit-loving minds blown: Watermelons are berries. And so are cucumbers, cantaloupes, squash and pumpkins. Scientifically called pepos, these fruits fall into a specific category of berry—one with a tough rind, multiple flat seeds and pulpy flesh.
Are melon and watermelon related?
The Melon Family, Cucurbitaceae, is a plant family commonly known as melons, gourds or cucurbits and includes crops like cucumbers, squashes (including pumpkins), luffas, melons (including watermelons).
Are watermelons related to cantaloupe?
Both watermelon and muskmelon (a term which includes cantaloupe, honeydew, and others) are members of the family Cucurbitaceae, so they are botanically similar to both cucumbers and squash. The larger family is referred to as the Cucurbits.
What are the three types of watermelon?
There are four basic types of watermelon: seedless, picnic, icebox, and yellow/orange fleshed.
Is watermelon a junk food?
Low Calorie – Watermelon is a healthy, low-calorie fruit that is cholesterol-free and contains less than a gram of fat. Reaching for watermelon instead of junk foods can help aid in your weight loss.
Why is watermelon a berry and not a melon?
The exocarp of a watermelon is its rind, then comes the pink, delicious insides and the seeds. To be classified as a berry, a fruit must have two or more seeds and must develop from “a flower that has one ovary.” So, fruit that fit this category include tomatoes, peppers, cranberries, eggplants and kiwis.
Is a banana really a berry?
Did You Know? It turns out berry is actually a botanical term, not a common English one. It turns out that blackberries, mulberries, and raspberries are not berries at all, but bananas, pumpkins, avocados and cucumbers are.
Is a pineapple a berry or a melon?
A pineapple is neither a pine nor an apple, but a fruit consisting of many berries that have grown together. This also means that Pineapples are not a single fruit, but a group of berries that have fused together.
Can dogs have melon?
Yes, in moderation. The tasty melon is safe for pups and can be a healthy alternative to traditional treats, especially if your dog is overweight. Even the seeds are harmless, but you should avoid feeding them to your dog intentionally, as they can be a choking hazard.
What is difference between watermelon and melon?
The main difference between watermelons and melons is seeds – watermelon seeds are spread throughout the fruit, while melons have a central seed cavity. In Australia, melons and watermelons are grown mainly in warmer, northern areas, as they don’t tolerate frost.
Where did watermelon originally come from?
Background and Aims Watermelons, Citrullus species (Cucurbitaceae), are native to Africa and have been cultivated since ancient times. The fruit flesh of wild watermelons is watery, but typically hard-textured, pale-coloured and bland or bitter.
Can cantaloupe and watermelon cross breed?
The short answer is, no. It’s fine to grow watermelons and cantaloupe side by side. Cross-pollination between melon varieties may occur, but not between watermelons (Citrullus lanatus v. lanatus) and cantaloupes (Cucumis melo ssp.
Are strawberries actually berries?
And the popular strawberry is not a berry at all. Botanists call the strawberry a “false fruit,” a pseudocarp. A strawberry is actually a multiple fruit which consists of many tiny individual fruits embedded in a fleshy receptacle.
Do cantaloupes have genders?
Although cantaloupes are different than other vining crops because they have flowers which contain male and female parts as well as those which contain only male parts, pollination by bees is still necessary.
Which watermelon is the healthiest?
Loaded With Lycopene
Watermelon has more of this nutrient than any other fruit or veggie — even tomatoes. To load up on lycopene, choose a melon with bright red flesh rather than yellow or orange. And the riper, the better. Also, seedless melon tends to have more lycopene than those with seeds.
What is the best watermelon to eat?
Look for an orange creamy field spot. The darker yellow field spot usually means it was on the vine longer and is full of flavor. If the field spot is white that’s a sign that the melon is not quite ripe. Larger “webbing” or “sugar spots” means that the melon is seeping out sugar and is usually the sign of sweet melon.
What is the most delicious watermelon?
10 Great Watermelon Varieties
- Bradford Family. This watermelon is a true heirloom treasure.
- Sugar Baby. The quintessential icebox melon.
- Jubilee Bush.
- Georgia Rattlesnake.
- Odell’s White.
- Charleston Grey.
- Mountain Sweet Yellow.
- Moon and Stars.
What happens if we eat watermelon daily?
May improve heart health
Studies suggest that lycopene may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It may also help prevent oxidative damage caused by high cholesterol levels ( 3 ). Watermelon also contains citrulline, an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in your body.
Can diabetics eat watermelon?
Watermelon is safe for people with diabetes to eat in moderation. However, it is best to consume watermelon and other high GI fruits alongside foods that contain plenty of nutritious fats, fiber, and protein.