TAXON:Cucumis Metuliferus SCORE:11.0 RATING:High Risk
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TAXON: Cucumis metuliferus SCORE: 11.0 RATING: High Risk Taxon: Cucumis metuliferus Family: Cucurbitaceae Common Name(s): African horned cucumber Synonym(s): Cucumis tinneanus Kotschy & Peyr. African horned melon horny cucumber jelly melon Assessor: Chuck Chimera Status: Assessor Approved End Date: 6 Jan 2015 WRA Score: 11.0 Designation: H(HPWRA) Rating: High Risk Keywords: Naturalized, Weedy Vine, Spiny Fruit, Edible, Bird-Dispersed Qsn # Question Answer Option Answer 101 Is the species highly domesticated? y=-3, n=0 n 102 Has the species become naturalized where grown? 103 Does the species have weedy races? Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) - If 201 island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute "wet (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) (See Appendix 2) High tropical" for "tropical or subtropical" 202 Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) (See Appendix 2) High 203 Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility) y=1, n=0 y Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or 204 y=1, n=0 y subtropical climates Does the species have a history of repeated introductions 205 y=-2, ?=-1, n=0 y outside its natural range? 301 Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2), n= question 205 y 302 Garden/amenity/disturbance weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2) y 303 Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed 304 Environmental weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see Appendix 2) n 305 Congeneric weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2) y 401 Produces spines, thorns or burrs y=1, n=0 y 402 Allelopathic 403 Parasitic y=1, n=0 n 404 Unpalatable to grazing animals 405 Toxic to animals 406 Host for recognized pests and pathogens 407 Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans 408 Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems Creation Date: 6 Jan 2015 (Cucumis metuliferus) Page 1 of 17 TAXON: Cucumis metuliferus SCORE: 11.0 RATING: High Risk Qsn # Question Answer Option Answer 409 Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle y=1, n=0 n Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone 410 y=1, n=0 y conditions if not a volcanic island) 411 Climbing or smothering growth habit y=1, n=0 y 412 Forms dense thickets y=1, n=0 n 501 Aquatic y=5, n=0 n 502 Grass y=1, n=0 n 503 Nitrogen fixing woody plant y=1, n=0 n Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs 504 y=1, n=0 n -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native 601 y=1, n=0 n habitat 602 Produces viable seed y=1, n=-1 y 603 Hybridizes naturally y=1, n=-1 n 604 Self-compatible or apomictic y=1, n=-1 y 605 Requires specialist pollinators y=-1, n=0 n 606 Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation y=1, n=-1 n 607 Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1 1 Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants 701 y=1, n=-1 n growing in heavily trafficked areas) 702 Propagules dispersed intentionally by people y=1, n=-1 y 703 Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant 704 Propagules adapted to wind dispersal y=1, n=-1 n 705 Propagules water dispersed 706 Propagules bird dispersed y=1, n=-1 y 707 Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) y=1, n=-1 n 708 Propagules survive passage through the gut y=1, n=-1 y 801 Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 802 yr) 803 Well controlled by herbicides y=-1, n=1 y 804 Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced 805 biocontrol agents) Creation Date: 6 Jan 2015 (Cucumis metuliferus) Page 2 of 17 TAXON: Cucumis metuliferus SCORE: 11.0 RATING: High Risk Supporting Data: Qsn # Question Answer 101 Is the species highly domesticated? n Source(s) Notes [Cultivars selected for improved taste & increased size of fruit, but otherwise, no evidence that cultivation has reduced competitive ability] "In Kenya, New Zealand, France and Israel the fruits of improved cultivars are commercially grown for export." ... "Fruits from wild-growing plants are often bitter and inedible. Traditional medical practitioners in Zimbabwe consider the bitter wild fruits as poisonous if taken by mouth." ... "Specimens with non-bitter fruits, totally lacking spiny protuberances, have been observed both in the Wilkins-Ellert, M.H. 2004. Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex wild and under semi-cultivated conditions near Bulawayo Naudin In: Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). (Zimbabwe)." ... "Fruit quality in horned melon is measured by PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, colour, size, taste, acidity and aroma. Original cultigens tested were Wageningen, Netherlands found somewhat lacking in the taste factor, however these lines were being tested for plant vigour and pest and disease resistances. There is a need to identify sweet-fruited cultivars. More recent studies with germplasm from Botswana and Zimbabwe showed promising results for increased size and improved taste. Within the germplasm being grown in Zimbabwe and South Africa, cultivars are found with large (up to 18 cm) fruits; they are orange when ripe and have pleasantly tasting flesh, used as an attractive ingredient in fruit salads." 102 Has the species become naturalized where grown? Source(s) Notes WRA Specialist. 2015. Personal Communication NA 103 Does the species have weedy races? Source(s) Notes WRA Specialist. 2015. Personal Communication NA Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) - If 201 island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute "wet High tropical" for "tropical or subtropical" Source(s) Notes Wilkins-Ellert, M.H. 2004. Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex "Cucumis metuliferus occurs naturally throughout the tropical and Naudin In: Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). subtropical sub-Saharan regions of Africa, from Senegal to Somalia PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, and South Africa." Wageningen, Netherlands Creation Date: 6 Jan 2015 (Cucumis metuliferus) Page 3 of 17 TAXON: Cucumis metuliferus SCORE: 11.0 RATING: High Risk Qsn # Question Answer 202 Quality of climate match data High Source(s) Notes Wilkins-Ellert, M.H. 2004. Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex Naudin In: Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). "...occurs naturally throughout the tropical and subtropical sub- PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Saharan regions of Africa..." Wageningen, Netherlands 203 Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility) y Source(s) Notes Bester, S.P. & Condy, G. 2013. Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. "Herbarium specimens of this species have been collected from a ex Naudin. Flowering Plants of Africa 63: ϱϲʹϲϰ wide altitudinal range, from ϮϭϬʹϭϴϬϬm above sea level." [Grows in tropical climates, but elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating some environmental versatility] "The natural habitat Wilkins-Ellert, M.H. 2004. Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex of horned melon ranges from low-altitude riverine semi-evergreen Naudin In: Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). forest to semi-arid highlands and Kalahari sands. Horned melon is a PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, warm-season grower in tropical to subtropical regions, and does not Wageningen, Netherlands tolerate cold conditions. It occurs at altitudes from near sea level to 1800 m." Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or 204 y subtropical climates Source(s) Notes "Cucumis metuliferus occurs naturally throughout the tropical and Wilkins-Ellert, M.H. 2004. Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex subtropical sub-Saharan regions of Africa, from Senegal to Somalia Naudin In: Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). and South Africa. It has also been recorded in Yemen. In Kenya, New PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Zealand, France and Israel the fruits of improved cultivars are Wageningen, Netherlands commercially grown for export. Cucumis metuliferus has become naturalized in Australia, and is reported as adventive in Croatia." Does the species have a history of repeated 205 y introductions outside its natural range? Source(s) Notes "Cucumis metuliferus occurs naturally throughout the tropical and Wilkins-Ellert, M.H. 2004. Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex subtropical sub-Saharan regions of Africa, from Senegal to Somalia Naudin In: Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). and South Africa. It has also been recorded in Yemen. In Kenya, New PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Zealand, France and Israel the fruits of improved cultivars are Wageningen, Netherlands commercially grown for export." 301 Naturalized beyond native range y Source(s) Notes Wilkins-Ellert, M.H. 2004. Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex Naudin In: Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). "Cucumis metuliferus has become naturalized in Australia, and is PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, reported as adventive in Croatia." Wageningen, Netherlands Creation Date: 6 Jan 2015 (Cucumis metuliferus) Page 4 of 17 TAXON: Cucumis metuliferus SCORE: 11.0 RATING: High Risk Qsn # Question Answer "It has been naturalized in Queensland, Australia, for at least 60 yr, as recalled by Gwen Rouse of Miami, who grew up there and, with her friends, ate the fruits as a child. Graham Jamieson, senior Morton, J. F. 1987. The Horned Cucumber, alias" horticulturist, Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane, has Kiwano"(Cucumis metuliferus, Cucurbitaceae). Economic written me that it is included in Weeds of Queensland (1977) as a Botany, 41(2): 325-327 weed of sugarcane fields and farms along the Mulgrave and Herbert rivers, one controlled with herbicides and fruit disposal to prevent reseeding." Berlingeri, C., & Crespo, M. B. 2012. Inventory of related "Table 4 Inventory of major crop relatives in Venezuela" [Cucumis wild species of priority crops in Venezuela.