Cucumis melo L.

Annual or sometimes perennial (in wild form), trailing, prostrate or rarely climbing herb. Stem angular and hirsute, sometimes becoming circular and glabrous. Leaves ± reniform, 5-angled or shallowly 5-lobed, lobes obtuse, both surfaces covered with soft villous hairs; size variable, 5-15 cm long and as much broad, smaller in wild forms. Male flowers fasciculate; peduncle 5-3 cm long. Calyx tube villous, 5-8 mm long, sepals subulate. Corolla 1-2 cm long. Fruits variable in size, shape, texture and colour, generally glabrous. Seeds white, oblong and emarginate.

Widely cultivated in tropical and warm countries.

200-800 m