Cucumis

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Cucumis

Cucumis (pronounced: /kjuːˈkʌɪmɪs/) is a genus of twining, tendril-bearing plants in the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes the widely cultivated species Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Cucumis melo (melon). The term "Cucumis" is derived from the Latin word for cucumber.

Etymology

The word "Cucumis" is of Latin origin, specifically from the word "cucumerem" (nominative "cucumis"), which means cucumber. It is believed to be a pre-Roman word of unknown etymology.

Species

The genus Cucumis includes the following notable species:

  • Cucumis sativus: Commonly known as cucumber, it is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cylindrical fruits that are used as culinary vegetables.
  • Cucumis melo: Known as melon, it is a species that has been developed into many cultivated varieties. The fruit is a pepo, a type of berry derived from an inferior ovary, with a thick rind and fleshy center.

Related Terms

  • Cucurbitaceae: The plant family that Cucumis belongs to. It includes other genera like Cucurbita (squashes, pumpkins), and Lagenaria (bottle gourds).
  • Cucurbitacin: A toxic compound found in plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, including Cucumis. It gives a bitter taste to the plant parts.
  • Tendril: A specialized stem, leaf or petiole with a threadlike shape that is used by climbing plants for support and attachment.

External links

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