Slices of watermelon

Asset ID: 86508404 / Jupiterimages / Slices of watermelon Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb. ), family Cucurbitaceae ) is a vine-like (scrambler and trailer) flowering plant originally from southern Africa . Its fruit, which is also called watermelon , is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo , a berry which has a thick rind (exocarp ) and fleshy centre (mesocarp and endocarp). Pepos are derived from an inferior ovary, and are characteristic of the Cucurbitaceae. The watermelon fruit, loosely considered a type of melon – although not in the genus Cucumis – has a smooth exterior rind (green, yellow and sometimes white) and a juicy, sweet interior flesh (usually pink, but sometimes orange, yellow, red and sometimes green if not ripe). It is also commonly used to make a variety of salads, most notably fruit salad. This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.