round gourd

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• round gourd
• round-melon
• squash-melon

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Citrullus lanatus var. fistulosus
• Colocynthis citrullus var. fistulosus
• Citrullus vulgaris var. fistulosus
• Praecitrullus fistulosus
• Citrullus fistulosus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Benincasa, with its specific species being fistulosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several continents and climatic zones. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is notably documented in Ghana. Its distribution extends significantly into East Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Furthermore, the species reaches into Western Asia, specifically within the borders of Afghanistan. Consequently, the plant thrives in various ecological settings from the African tropics to the arid regions of Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Benincasa fistulosa is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial plant depending on the environmental conditions and climatic stability of its habitat. As a creeping or climbing vine, its development begins with seed germination, after which it rapidly establishes an extensive network of tendrils to ascend surrounding vegetation or structures. Throughout its growth phases, the plant focuses on significant vegetative expansion, producing large, lobed leaves to maximize photosynthetic efficiency. The reproductive stage involves the production of distinct male and female flowers, leading to the development of large, fleshy fruits. In favorable, warm environments, the plant may complete its cycle within a single year, whereas in more stable tropical conditions, it can persist for multiple seasons, exhibiting perennial characteristics.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Benincasa fistulosa is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend and spread across various substrates. The plant exhibits a non-woody constitution, maintaining a succulent and herbaceous texture throughout its stems and tendrils. This combination of an obligatory climbing habit and a non-woody structure allows the plant to rapidly colonize open spaces and climb towards light sources while maintaining flexible, soft-tissued stems.

Climber :

obligatory

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Benincasa fistulosa is characterized by a complex metabolic framework that supports its rapid growth and climbing habit. As a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, its physiological processes are centered around efficient photosynthesis and high transpiration rates to maintain turgor pressure in its expansive foliage and succulent stems. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, optimizing carbon fixation under various light intensities to support the development of its large, fleshy fruits. In terms of nutrient acquisition and soil interaction, the plant does not engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system to meet its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and chlorophyll production. Its water relations are critical, as the plant requires significant moisture to facilitate nutrient transport and to regulate its temperature through evaporative cooling via its leaves.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Benincasa fistulosa is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The reproductive process is characterized by a diverse range of animal vectors, primarily categorized under a general insect pollination syndrome. Specifically, the plant exhibits a strong reliance on bee pollination, where these insects act as the principal agents for moving pollen between flowers to ensure fertilization. This interaction between the flowering structures and specific insect visitors ensures the successful genetic exchange necessary for seed production and the continued propagation of the species.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Benincasa fistulosa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Chemicals

Benincasa fistulosa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include -carotene, Antioxidants, MAGNESIUM, polyphenols, vitamin C.

-carotene

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antioxidants

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

MAGNESIUM

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

polyphenols

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

vitamin C

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Preparations

Benincasa fistulosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include fruit sap.

Fruit sap

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie