Lagenaria sphaerica

Lagenaria sphaerica is a herbaceous climber in the family Cucurbitaceae. It is commonly known as the wild melon.

Wild melon
Fruit of Lagenaria sphaerica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Lagenaria
Species:
L. sphaerica
Binomial name
Lagenaria sphaerica
(Sond.) Naudin

These plants are found in low-lying areas from the Eastern Cape of South Africa to East Africa. The may grow along river floodplains or up into the canopy of riparian forests. They may also be found in coastal dune vegetation.

These plants produce large white flowers which attract many insects. The melon gourd is green and flecked with white.

In Tanzania only the male flowers produce nectar, which is fed on by the Eastern Olive Sunbird, but the actual pollinators carpenter bees in the genus Xylocopa; female individuals mimic the males and are nectarless (Ollerton & Nuttman 2013).

  • Flowers
    Flowers
  • Climbing in Acacia sp.
    Climbing in Acacia sp.

References
    • Ollerton, J. & Nuttman, C. (2013) Aggressive displacement of Xylocopa nigrita carpenter bees from flowers of Lagenaria sphaerica (Cucurbitaceae) by territorial male Eastern Olive Sunbirds (Cyanomitra olivacea) in Tanzania. Journal of Pollination Ecology 11: 21–26
    • Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to Wild Flowers: KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. ISBN 0-620-21500-3.
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