| Scientific Name | Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai | Higher Classification | Dicotyledons | Family | CUCURBITACEAE | Synonyms | Citrullus vulgaris Eckl. & Zeyh., Colocynthis citrullus (L.) Kuntze, Cucumis edulis Spach ex Steud., Cucumis vulgaris E.H.L.Krause, Momordica lanata Thunb. | Common Names | Bitter Apple (e), Bitter Melon (e), Bitterappel (a), Bitterappeltjie (a), Bitterboela (a), Bitterkalabas (a), Bitterkalbas (a), Bitterkarkoer (a), Bitteros (a), Bitterosse (a), Bitterwaatlemoen (a), Bitterwaterboela (a), Colocynth (e), Ibhece (z), Ibotola (nd), Ijodo (nd), Ikhabe (z), Inopi (nd), Kaate (ss), Kafferwaatlemoen (a), Kaffir Melon (e), Kaffir Watermelon (e), Kakoer (a), Karkoer (a), Koer Koer (a), Koerkoer (a), Kolokwint (a), Koorkoor (a), Lehapu (ss), Makataan (a), Mankataan (a), Mokakaoane (ss), Samma (a), Semane Tjoko (ss), Soet-soetwaatlemoen (a), Soetwaatlemoen (a), Sweet Melon (e), Sweet Watermelon (e), Tsama Melon (e), Tsama Waatlemoen (a), Tsamma (a), Tsamma Melon (e), Tsammawaatlemoen (a), Tshamma (a), White Watermelon (e), Wild Melon (e), Wild Watermelon (e), Wilde Waatlemoen (a), Wildewaatlemoen (a) |
National Status | Status and Criteria | Least Concern | Assessment Date | 2021/10/25 | Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali | Justification | This species is widespread in South Africa and is not in danger of extinction. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution | Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa | Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West | Range | This species is widespread in southern Africa, it also occurs in tropical Africa and Asia. |
Habitat and Ecology | Major system | Terrestrial | Major habitats | Fynbos, Savanna | Description | It occurs on sandy soils, in grassland and bushland, often found along water courses. |
Threats | | There are no known threats to this species. |
Population | Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography | Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation | | Mtshali, H. 2021. Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/12 |
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 © J.H. Vlok/A.L. Schutte-Vlok
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