Bitter Melon - introduced (*Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus)

Other names: Camel Melon.

Family: Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber family).

Introduced.

Occurrence: Most common in inland Australia Victoria.

Identification:

• it is a prostrate vine with slender stems.
• the flowers are yellow and with five petals
• the tendrils are undivided
• the leaves are deeply 5 lobed, and some lobes are further divided
• the fruit are round and cricket ball (or larger) sized with dark and light green stripes.

Similar species: Paddymelon (Cucumis myriocarpus) has marble-sized rough-surfaced fruit.

Watermelon is Citrullus lanatus var caffer.