Muskmelon
| Muskmelon | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus: | Cucumis |
| Species: | C. melo |
| Binomial name | |
| Cucumis melo L. |
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Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a species of melon that has been developed into many cultivated varieties. These include smooth skinned varieties such as honeydew, crenshaw and casaba, and different netted cultivars (cantaloupe, Persian melon and Santa Claus or Christmas melon). The Armenian cucumber is also a variety of muskmelon, but its shape, taste, and culinary uses more closely resemble those of a cucumber. The large number of cultivars in this species approaches that found in wild cabbage, though morphological variation is not as extensive. It is a fruit of a type called pepo. Muskmelon is native to Persia (Iran), Anatolia, Armenia, and adjacent areas on the west and the east which is believed to be their center of origin and development, with a secondary center including the northwest provinces of India and Afghanistan. Although truly wild forms of C. melo have not been found, several related wild species have been noted in those regions.
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Genetics [edit]
Muskmelons do not cross with watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, or squash, but varieties within the species intercross frequently.[1] The genome of Cucumis melo L. was first sequenced in 2012.[2]
Nutrition [edit]
Cantaloupe melons are a good source of potassium, Vitamin A, and folate.[3]
Uses [edit]
In addition to their consumption when fresh, melons are sometimes dried. Other varieties are cooked, or grown for their seeds, which are processed to produce melon oil. Still other varieties are grown only for their pleasant fragrance.[4] The Japanese liqueur Midori is flavored with muskmelon.
Gallery [edit]
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Japanese melon intended as a high-priced gift. The pictured melon is 6300 yen, or about 79 US dollars).
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Chamoe (참외, Cucumis melo var. makuwa) stall in Seoul, South Korea
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Squared Melon grown in Atsumi District, Aichi Japan. It is known as "Kakumero".
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The Armenian cucumber, despite the name, is actually a type of muskmelon.
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See also [edit]
- Bailan melon
- Cantaloupe
- Crane Melon
- Cucumis
- Galia
- Hami Melon
- Honeydew
- Melon baller
- Montreal melon
- Persian melon
- Piel de Sapo
- Sugar melon
- Melon Day
References [edit]
Notes [edit]
- ^ Muskmelons Originated in Persia. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/vegetabletravelers/muskmelon.html
- ^ The genome of melon (Cucumis melo L.) . http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/06/28/1205415109.short
- ^ Nutrition Facts for melons, cantaloupe
- ^ National Research Council (2008-01-25). "Melon". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits. Lost Crops of Africa 3. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10596-5. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
Sources [edit]
- Mabberley, D.J. 1987. The Plant Book. A portable dictionary of the higher plants. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ISBN 0-521-34060-8.
- Magness, J.R., G.M. Markle, C.C. Compton. 1971. Food and feed crops of the United States. Interregional Research Project IR-4, IR Bul. 1 (Bul. 828 New Jersey Agr. Expt. Sta.).
- Desai, B.B. (2004). Seeds Handbook: Biology, Production, Processing, and Storage, Vol. 103. CRC Press. ISBN 0-8247-4800-X.
- http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/vegetabletravelers/muskmelon.html
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cucumis melo |
- Cucumis melo L. – Purdue University, Center for New Crops & Plant Products.
- Sorting Cucumis names – Multilingual multiscript plant name database
- Cook's Thesaurus: Melons – A great online list of names and pictures.
- [1] Muskmelons Originated in Persia
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