TO KNOW OUR FRUITS/PLANTS 11

WATER MELON, Citrullus lanatus, CUCURBITACEAE, in Malay, it is known as buah tembikai, buah semangka or Timun Cina.

-a native of subtropical Africa but has been cultivated since ancient times. -unlike other fruits, the plants have weak, creeping stems and climbing by tendrils, and the fruit ripen on the ground. -the fruits vary greatly in the size and shape, colour, texture, flavour and sugar content of flesh; and colour, size and number of seeds. The seeds are ready for harvesting about 100 days or more after sowing. -usually eaten raw as a favourite thirst quencher. -in addition to the flesh, dried parched seeds called "kuaci" are also consumed. ref:Malaysian fruits in colour, by H.F. Chin and H.S. Yong