Melon
Cucumis melo L.
Melon (Cucumis melo) is an annual vine of the gourd family; its round, yellow nettled fruit holds juicy, sweet, aromatic orange flesh — eaten fresh, juiced or blended; widely grown in Đà Lạt and the south.
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Melon fruitOverview
Melon is an annual climbing vine with tendrils and softly hairy stems; its large heart-shaped leaves have lobed, toothed margins. Yellow, unisexual flowers (male and female) grow on the same plant. The fruit is a thick berry, spherical to oval, 10–15 cm across, with smooth or netted pale-yellow skin; the flesh is soft, juicy, orange, sweet and aromatic, with a hollow centre holding many flat yellow seeds.
Melon originated in Africa and the Middle East and is grown throughout warm regions; in Vietnam it is cultivated mainly in Đà Lạt (greenhouse technology), Bình Thuận and Long An. The fruit is eaten fresh or juiced and made into smoothies, ice cream and salads. Melon is a good summer source of vitamin C, beta-carotene and water, and its seeds are rich in oil and protein.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- China35%
- Middle East & Europe25%
- Vietnam15%
- Others25%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Vitamin CAntioxidant35%
- Beta-caroteneVitamin A precursor30%
- Water and potassiumCooling35%
Uses
- Ripe fruit eaten fresh or juiced
- Smoothies, ice cream, salads
- Seeds rich in oil and protein
Properties
- Taste
- Sweet, aromatic, juicy
- Value
- Rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene
Habitat & conservation
Warm, sunny climate; friable, well-drained soil; greenhouse culture boosts yield.
Conservation
Widely cultivated; not threatened.
References
- 1Kew Science – Plants of the World Online: Cucumis melo — Kew (Plants of the World Online), 2026
- 2Wikipedia – Cucumis melo — Wikipedia, 2026