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Melon (Cucumis melo)
Photo: Seth Vidal, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 2 countries crop symbol: Turkmenistan

Melon

Cucumis melo

Family: Cucurbitaceae

On our map this plant appears in 2 countries and ranks highest in: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

The melon is an annual, trailing plant of the gourd family, with rough leaves, yellow flowers and large, juicy fruits. The fruits vary in shape, rind colour and flavour – from round and yellow to elongated and green with a netted rind. Melons ripen best in a hot, dry climate with cool nights, which helps them build up sugar. Many varieties keep for a long time, so they can still be eaten in winter.

Description from: Turkmenistan.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Turkmenistan no. 1 of 8 cultivated

    Star of a national holiday – Turkmen Melon Day

    Turkmen Melon Day, established in 1994, is a public holiday with exhibitions, competitions and tastings. The most famous varieties, such as gulabi and wahärman, are regarded as a source of national pride.

  2. Uzbekistan no. 3 of 8 cultivated

    More than a hundred varieties of melon are grown in Uzbekistan, and fruit from Khorezm and the Hungry Steppe is reputed to be the sweetest in Central Asia.