DESCRIPTION: Cucumis is a large group comprised of Melons and Cucumbers. They are climbing plants found wild in Asia. Just below are some descriptions of the Cucumber family (cucurbitaceae); following will be descriptions of Melons
Cucumber (C. sativus) - The Cucumber has been an article of food for hundreds of years. It is a native of southwestern Asia. Cucumbers grow on sprawling, medium length vines clothed with rough, dark green, 3 pointed leaves, which are fuzzy. All female (gynoecious) varieties have been developed that give greater yields, as do self-fertile (parthenocarpic) varieties that produce fruit without pollination, producing seedless cucumbers. There are three different types of Cucumber. The first is the greenhouse or English forcing type, which isn't suitable for outdoor cultivation because of its slow growth. The fruit is long and it has a few black spines that will disappear as the fruits mature. It is usually used for slicing. The second type is grown in gardens. Some kinds have black spines while others have white spines protruding from warts when the fruit is young. The white-spined varieties are more popular. The second type matures in 55 to 60 days and the fruits may be used for pickling or slicing. The third type is also grown outside; they are the pickling varieties, which (with the exception of Gherkin, which belongs in this group) may also be used for salads. The Gherkin, C.anguria, also commonly known as Gooseberry Gourd and Bur Gourd, is the true old-time Gherkin, but has been replaced by young Cucumber imposters. The long vines are covered with deeply 3-lobed leaves that distinguish the plants from Melons and Cucumbers. They produce fruits, 2 inches long, that are covered with soft spines and are valuable only for pickles.
The next three descriptions are relatives of the Cucumber family and are divided into many groups, two of which are commonly cultivated. The Reticulatus Group, or netted Melons, includes Persian Melons and Muskmelons. (Although Muskmelons are often called Cantaloupes, the true Cantaloupe belongs to the Cantalupensis Group.) The Inodorus Group, or winter Melons, includes Casabas, Crenshaws and Honeydews. Melons grow on trailing or climbing, soft, hairy vines. They are warm-temperate annuals.
Casaba Melon (C. melo)- This Melon belongs to the Inodorus Group. They are large Melons that taper off towards the stem. They may weigh from 4 to 8 pounds. The rind is yellow with ridges or ribs and the flesh is greenish. Like other Melons of this group (ie. Pink fleshed Crenshaws and Honeydews), this one is a long season, late maturing Melon of very high quality. It is best when dead ripe but not soggy.
Crenshaw Melon (C. melo)- This Melon belongs to the Inodorus Group. They are large, oval and smooth, with dark green rinds that turn yellowish green when ripe. Older varieties may have greenish colored flesh; newer hybrids are salmon-pink.
Honeydew Melon (C. melo) - A Melon belonging to the Inodorus Group, Honeydews are silvery white, smooth and round. They usually have green or white flesh. New varieties may have orange or pink tinged flesh. They average from 2 to 4 pounds.
Muskmelon (C. melo) - This Melon belongs to the Reticulatus Group as does the many varieties listed in catalogues and seed displays as Muskmelons, Melons, or Cantaloupes. The Melons come in an assortment of shapes including round, oval, boat-shaped, or banana-shaped and they may be from 1 to 4 pounds. The rinds may be ribbed, warted, netted with cordlike veins, or nearly smooth. Older varieties usually have pronounced ribs from stem end to blossom end, while modern kinds developed for shipping have none. At maturity, the rind may be whitish green, cream, yellowish, pink-tinted, or dark green. The flesh may be white, greenish, orange, or pink stained. Persian Melons are large, dark green varieties that mature late. The seed cavities in modern varieties are no larger than an ice cream scoop, but are bigger than a coffee mug in the old, large, open-pollinated varieties. The flavors range from barely acceptable to extremely sweet and musky. This isn't always because of the variety. An overabundance of water in the soil during the 3 weeks prior to maturity gives Melons a flavorless, watery taste.