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gardening with indigenous traditionally-useful plants
Tsamma Melon
ABOVE: Tsamma Melon (Citrullus lanatus) intercropped
with Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) growing in
Ehomba, Namibia. Photo: Phakamani Xaba.
by Phakamani Xaba, SANBI, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Peter Croeser
This is the eighteenth in a series of articles on indigenous plants
that have traditionally been used by humans in southern Africa
for food, medicine, crafts and charms. Some of these plants are
now threatened while others that once formed an important part
of our diet have been forgotten. It is hoped that these articles
O
ur
indigenous
sub-tropical
African melons, although less
nutritious than the related pumpkins and squashes of America, have always
been greatly favoured as a delicacy. In more
arid areas, the abundant round, green- or
white-fleshed Tsamma Melon has also played
another role as an essential source of water
for humans and a wide variety of animal
life. The Tsamma Melon was domesticated
in North Africa several hundred years ago
and from this was developed the familiar
large, sausage-shaped, red-fleshed, sweet
watermelons now grown throughout the
warmer regions of the world.
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VELD&FLORA | MARCH 2012
will help revive an interest in growing, using and conserving a
valuable indigenous resource. Please note that cited traditional
information about medicinal use of plants does not constitute
a recommendation for their use for self-treatment. Improper or
uninformed use of wild plants can be extremely dangerous.
Like most members of the melon and
pumpkin family, the plant grows rapidly,
extending runners along the surface of
the ground. Equipped with tendrils, it
will readily climb a fence, tree or shrub.
The deeply-lobed leaves bear the yellow
funnel-shaped flowers at their axils with
the main stem which can be two metres
long, or more. Male and female flowers are
found on different plants so it is necessary
to grow a number of plants, to ensure
fertilization. The fruit develops from below
the female flower and is generally round
to oval and pale green in colour and is not
armed with spikes as is the case with the
closely-related horned African Cucumis
cucumbers.
Where do we find Tsamma Melons?
The Tsamma is found in the wild on open
sandy soil throughout Africa.
Ecology and pests
Tsamma is chiefly pollinated by bees and
flies, but can also be hand-pollinated to
prevent crossing with other varieties which
may be growing nearby. As with other
melons and the squashes, the leaves are
easily infected by downy mildew fungus
under warm, moist overcast conditions.
Seedlings can also be affected by dampingoff soil fungus. The only known specific
pest is Melon Fly.
Traditional and future uses
The Tsamma is not prized for its nutritional
value, but as a source of water in mid to late
summer in dry areas. Despite the sweettasting flesh, the Tsamma has less than
7% sugar and also has low concentrations
of minerals and vitamins (B and C).
The protein-rich seeds also contain an
edible oil, and are commonly roasted.
Tsamma Melons are eaten as fresh fruit or
can be boiled or steamed as a vegetable.
Always taste a small sample first as some
of the fruit produced may be bitter and
should not be used.
The young leaves and tender growing
shoots can be harvested, de-strung (which
removes the larger hairs), thinly sliced
and steam-fried as a vegetable relish or
spinach. The roasted seeds are protein-rich
and may be eaten as nuts or ground and
added to porridge or a vegetable stew.
They have a purgative effect if too many
are eaten at once.
The unroasted seeds are bitter and are
ground with their shells for use as a purgative. The seeds of the related pumpkins are
used medicinally, as an anthelmintic against
intestinal worms, including tapeworm.
READING
Van Wyk, B-E, & Gericke, N. 2000. People’s plants: a
guide to useful plants of southern Africa. Briza, Pretoria.
Van Wyk, B.-E. 2005. Food plants of the world. Briza,
An easy guide to growing
ACTIVITY
ENVIRONMENT REQUIRED
FOR SUCCESS
ABOVE: The Tsamma Melon (Citrullus lanatus), the indigenous precursor to the popular watermelon, growing in Ehomba, Namibia,
intercropped with Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Photo: Phakamani Xaba.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Botanical name: Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai. Citrullus is the diminutive of the Latin citrus that
refers to the small round fruit which is similar in shape to that of the citron (one of the earliest citrus fruits). The
species name lanatus means “woolly” and refers to the hairs on the stems and leaves.
Family name: The Tsamma Melon belongs to the important melon, gourd and squash (including pumpkin) family,
Cucurbitaceae, with some 960 species in 125 genera in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa
and Asia. The genus is African in origin and the species southern African. The species is best known in its selected
cultivated form as the popular pink-fleshed watermelon grown around the world (particularly in China, Southeast
Asia and North America).
Common names: Tsamma Melon, Wild Watermelon (English); t’sama (Khoisan); karkoer, bitterwaatlemoen
(Afrikaans); makataan (Tswana); mufera, manyani, rushambwa (Shona); ijodo, ibotola (Ndebele).
TSAMMA MELON
TREATMENT
TIME
REMARKS
Sowing
The Tsamma Melon grows
easily in the right soil in
summer rainfall areas, but
like all the members of the
pumpkin and squash family,
requires plenty of space as
the runners rapidly extend
across the surface of the soil
in all directions.
Seed can be directly sown in
the ground at the beginning
of the rainy seasons or can
be sown in the nursery in
trays. Seeds start germinating
within a week and should be
kept relatively moist until well
established.
Cultivation
Tsamma is a quick growing
annual groundcover,
therefore it out-performs
most weeds and keeps them
at bay.
Tsamma thrives on wellMonkeys and baboons will raid an unprotected
drained sandy soils and
garden for the young developing fruit.
tolerates growing with cereals
such as sorghum or maize with
which it is often grown by
small farmers.
Once the fruits have developed, dried
grass is placed under each fruit to prevent
rotting on the soil.
Harvesting
and storage
of tubers
The fruit can be harvested
ten to 12 weeks after
sowing, when the speckled
markings become visible.
Once the fruit is cut and eaten, As soon as the seed is dry, it must be cleaned of
seed is washed and put in the extraneous matter and stored in a shaded, dry, wellsun to dry.
aerated area.
The stored seed must be protected from
rodents (rats and mice).
Seed is sown from early spring (September) to early
summer (December) in summer rainfall areas.
Nursery tray seedlings can be
transplanted in two weeks, however
more watering (twice a day) is required
for the first week to get them established.
MARCH 2012
| VELD&FLORA
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