Plant
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatusAlso known as Tsamma, Citron Melon
Watermelons grow on sprawling annual vines with deeply lobed foliage and soft yellow flowers that require insect pollination to produce fruit. Native to tropical Africa, these heavy pepos feature thick green rinds that encapsulate watery, sweet flesh designed to attract animal seed dispersers. Today, hundreds of cultivated varieties range from personal-sized seedless fruits to massive heirloom types grown in warm regions across the globe.
VineFloweringAgricultural
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic
Predators
- Aphids
- Cucumber Beetles
- Rodents
ThreatsFungal Wilts, Aphids, Extreme Cold
HabitatsAgricultural Fields, Gardens, Warm Grasslands
Life spanAnnual
Classification
- OrderCucurbitales
- FamilyCucurbitaceae
- GenusCitrullus
- SpeciesCitrullus lanatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Sunlight: Provide full sunlight and warm soil temperatures for healthy vine growth.
- Watering: Supply steady moisture at the root level while avoiding wet foliage to prevent fungal risks.
Close Relative Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen / Public domain · cc0
Family Member Seth Vidal / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Family Member Various / CC BY-SA 1.0 · cc-by-sa
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