Watermelon
A watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is Latin for a plant which was first domesticated in Africa. It is a cultivated edible fruit. It is grown worldwide, there are more than 1000 varieties.
Watermelon | |
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Watermelon | |
Watermelon cross section | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Order: | Cucurbitales |
Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
Genus: | Citrullus |
Species: | C. lanatus
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Binomial name | |
Citrullus lanatus | |
Synonyms[1] | |
List
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About 6% of a watermelon is sugar, which gives it a sweet taste. There are many different types of watermelon. Some have a green rind on the outside and a red-pink flesh on the inside, with brown seeds. Some can have yellow flesh, and some can be seedless. The green rind on the outside is not usually eaten, though it can be used as a vegetable. It can also be stewed or pickled. Most watermelons are oblong or spherical. In Japan, watermelons are grown in different shapes, such as hearts and squares. Watermelon
Health
Watermelons are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 and vitamin B6. They also contain potassium, magnesium, carotenoid antioxidant, and lycopene. The watermelon flesh is healthy to eat.[2]
Watermelon Media
A tsamma in the Kalahari Desert
Citrullus Lanatus, known as the Afghan, Camel or Wild Melon in Australia, where it is a weed. Very closely related to the watermelon which is Citrullus lanatus var. Caffer or Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus. Many people refer to the pictured plant as a paddy melon, but this is a misnomer; the Cucumis myriocarpus (Paddy Melon) has smaller fruit, a denser habit and brighter leaf colour.
Still Life with Watermelons, Pineapple and Other Fruit by Albert Eckhout, a Dutch painter active in 17th-century Brazil
China production of watermelons from 1961 to 2020. Source: FAOSTAT of the United Nations.
References
- ↑ "Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai". World Flora Online. The World Flora Online Consortium. 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ↑ "Top 9 Health Benefits of Eating Watermelon". 8 November 2021.
Wikispecies has information on: Citrullus lanatus. |