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Dendrosicyos socotranus

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Photo by Carl Frederick at UC-Davis
Conservatory.


Photo by
 Pedro.

Author:  Isaac Bayley Balfour, 1882
Family:  CUCURBITACEAE
Origin:  Oman, Socotra
Soil:  Grit - Limestone Mix
Water:  Minimum
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  1 Meter
Height:  6 Meters
Flower:  Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Cucumber Tree
Synonyms:  Dendrosicyos jaubertiana, Baillon, 1895
IPNI was socotrana.  

This monoecious  member of the Cucurbitaceae family was described by Isaac Bayley Balfour in 1882. It is only found in Oman and on Socotra, and is the only tree in the Cucurbitaceae 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.

The genera name means: Tree cucumber, the species name indicate it is from Socotra.

SubFamily: Cucurbitoideae, Tribe: Melothrieae


Photo by Dr. Tony Miller, Royal Botanical Garden of Edinburgh.


Wild plants by Prasadkotian, Powo.science.kew.org.