Watermelon

species of plant

A watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is Latin for a plant which was first domesticated in Africa. It is a cultivated edible fruit. It is grown worldwide, there are more than 1000 varieties.

Watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon cross section
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Citrullus
Species:
C. lanatus
Binomial name
Citrullus lanatus
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Anguria citrullus Mill.
    • Citrullus amarus Schrad.
    • Citrullus anguria (Duchesne) H.Hara
    • Citrullus aquosus Schur
    • Citrullus battich Forssk.
    • Citrullus caffer Schrad.
    • Citrullus caffrorum Schrad.
    • Citrullus chodospermus Falc. & Dunal
    • Citrullus citrullus H.Karst.
    • Citrullus citrullus Small
    • Citrullus edulis Spach
    • Citrullus edulis Pangalo nom. illeg.
    • Citrullus mucosospermus (Fursa) Fursa
    • Citrullus pasteca Sageret
    • Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.
    • Colocynthis amarissima Schrad. nom. inval.
    • Colocynthis amarissima Schltdl.
    • Colocynthis citrullus (L.) Kuntze
    • Colocynthis citrullus Fritsch
    • Cucumis amarissimus Schrad.
    • Cucumis citrullus (L.) Ser.
    • Cucumis dissectus Decne.
    • Cucumis edulis Steud. nom. inval.
    • Cucumis laciniosus Eckl. ex Steud.
    • Cucumis laciniosus Eckl. ex Schrad.
    • Cucumis vulgaris (Schrad.) E.H.L.Krause
    • Cucurbita anguria Duchesne
    • Cucurbita caffra Eckl. & Zeyh.
    • Cucurbita citrullus L.
    • Cucurbita gigantea Salisb.
    • Cucurbita pinnatifida Schrank
    • Momordica lanata Thunb.

About 6% of a watermelon is sugar, which gives it a sweet taste. There are many different types of watermelon. Some have a green rind on the outside and a red-pink flesh on the inside, with brown seeds. Some can have yellow flesh, and some can be seedless. The green rind on the outside is not usually eaten, though it can be used as a vegetable. It can also be stewed or pickled. Most watermelons are oblong or spherical. In Japan, watermelons are grown in different shapes, such as hearts and squares. Watermelon

Health

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Watermelons are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 and vitamin B6. They also contain potassium, magnesium, carotenoid antioxidant, and lycopene. The watermelon flesh is healthy to eat.[2]

References

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  1. "Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai". World Flora Online. The World Flora Online Consortium. 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  2. "Top 9 Health Benefits of Eating Watermelon". 8 November 2021.