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Photo by Pedro.
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This monoecious
member of the Cucurbitaceae
family was described by Isaac Bayley Balfour in 1882. It is only found on
Socotra, and is the only tree in this family. It grows in a very
well drained soil, containing quite a lot limestone, with little water and lots of sun. It will grow to
six meters in height and one metre in diameter. The flowers
are yellow, and there are both male- and female flowers on each
plant, and it can self-fertilize, but it is not possible to
reproduce by cuttings. Name means: Tree
cucumber, from Socotra.
SubFamily: Cucurbitoideae,
Tribe: Melothrieae
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