Cucurbitaceae
Cucumis sacleuxii
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Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Cucumis sacleuxii is a climbing or trailing annual herb, typically growing up to 1 metre long. Its stems are covered in long, bristly, irritant hairs. The leaves are broadly ovate-cordate and palmately 5-7-lobed. It produces yellow flowers and obovoid or ellipsoid fruits, 65-80 mm long, which are green with pale yellow stripes and mature to a dull yellow, featuring scattered blunt spines. Young fruits are sometimes harvested from the wild for pickles.
Where it works in Kilifi
This native East African species thrives in deciduous woodland, lowland grassland, and old cultivated areas from sea level up to 1,220 metres, including in Kenya. In a Kilifi-coast garden, it would be suitable as a groundcover or for climbing on small supports in areas receiving full sun to partial shade.
Growing notes
As an annual, this plant completes its life cycle within one year. Its stems have long, bristly hairs that can be irritant. Specific cultivation details are generally not known.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: jstor.org, kew.org, theferns.info. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.