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Coccinia sessilifolia

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From Copenhagen Botanical Garden.


 It's dioecious. These are male flowers.


The fruits before they turn red.

Author: Célestin Alfred Congiaux, 1881
Family:  CUCURBITACEAE
Origin:  South Africa, Namibia, Botswana
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  20 Centimetres
Height:  5 Meters
Flower:  White - Crème
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Cephalandra sessilifolia.Sonder, 1862.
Cephalandra  schinzii Congiaux,  1895.
Citrullus naudinianus,
 Hook.f.,
Colocynthis naudinianus
Kuntze.

This nice Cucurbitaceae was first given this name by Célestin Alfred Congiaux in 1881. It is from southern Africa, where it preferring a well-drained soil, moderate water and moderate sun. The caudex can grow to 20 cm in diameter, the vines five meters. It will produce small white flowers, and apart from seeds, it can be reproduced by cuttings.

The genera name from Latin coccineus, meaning 'red' or 'scarlet' which must referee to the fruits. The specific name indicate the leaves are sessile, or stalk-less - or at least sit close to the stems. In this case, they sit right on it.


Leaf on a wild plant in Namibia.


And a male flower in South Africa.