African Horned Cucumber

Description

• Annual
• African horned cucumber is a traditional food plant indigenous to Southern and Central Africa.
• It grows naturally in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland.
• Today it is grown for its ornamental and edible fruits all over the world including New Zeeland where it was registered under the trademark Kiwano.
• African horned cucumber is a self-fertile climber with tendrils and hairy leaves and stems and bears white or yellow flowers.
• The soft-shelled fruit (covered with prominent spines), is about 10cm. in length and turns yellow-orange when ripe.
• It is grown as an annual in cold areas and needs well-drained soil, regular watering and support to climb on.
• A single vine can produce up to 100 fruits.