This (Not Genetically Modified) Plant Looks like Watermelon and Tastes like Cucumber

Can you imagine a plant that looks like a watermelon and tastes like cucumber? That strange plant really exists on our planet and it not a genetically modified product. This unique plant is native to Mexico and Central America. Its name is little watermelon.

The name is related to the Spanish word “sandita” which means little watermelon.

 The Latin name of the little watermelon is Melothria scabra.

The first person who saw this plant was the French botanist Charles Victor Naudin in 1866.

Although it looks like a watermelon this plant it actually cucumber. The little watermelon is a slow growing plant. It

belongs to the family of cucumbers, so it is monoecious.

These plants produce both male and female flowers. The flowers are small and yellow. These plants can pollinate themselves.

Very little fruits with small seed inside them grow from the female flowers. In ideal conditions, it can grow up to 10 feet. 

They creep on the underground or on other plantс. The fruit has unique flavor, with a hint of cucumber and green fava bean. 

The real name of this plant is little watermelon but it is called with many names including: mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, cucamelon, Mexican sour cucumber. Fruits can be eaten directly from the plant or in a salad.