Perennial egusi (Citrullus colocynthis)

Family: Cucurbitaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

A desert vine resembles the common watermelon vine, but with small, hard fruits with a bitter pulp. Vine-like stems spread in all directions for a few meters. Can be misspelt as Citrullus colocynthus.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich in micronutrients, and could therefore be used in food formulations especially in regions with low milk consumption, such as West Africa. — They are first boiled in several changes of water to remove a bitter principle, and then made into pickles and preserves.; The fruit is 5 - 8cm in diameter.; Eaten roasted or ground into a meal and used to make chapattis.; The desert Bedouin are said to make a type of bread from the ground seeds.

Habitat & North American Range

Open woodlands, grasslands, river beds and banks, flood plains, on bare areas and road verges and in disturbed and undisturbed natural vegetation. (Zone 10)