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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. 38 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 39