MELOTHRIA SCABRA

This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was given this name by Charles Victor Naudin in 1866.

It is found in Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela. It preferring a well drained rich soil with some to much water and some sun. The vines will reach for three meters. The small flowers are yellow, and the small fruits can be eaten. It can only be reproduced by seeds, and maybe by root cuttings.

The genus name is from Ancient Greek μηλοθρων; mēlothrōn; 'kind of white grape' in reference to small grapevine fruits born by the genus. The specific name means 'rough' or 'scabby'. *Synonyms of Melothria pendula: Bryonia guadalupensis Spreng. 1826. Melothria donnell-smithii Cogn. ex Donn. Sm. 1891. Melothria fluminensis Gardner 1842. Melothria guadalupensis (Spreng.) Cogn. 1881. Vivi's photo of the fruits before they are turning red. The fruit by Bernard Gacongne. The seeds by Bernard Gacongne. Centimetres.