(Last Modified On 7/31/2013)
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(Last Modified On 7/31/2013)
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Species
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Cucumis melo L.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Sp. P1. 1011. 1753.
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Note
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TYPE: without locality, Herb. Linn. 1152.8 (LINN, not seen; microfiche MO).
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Description
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Vines; stems hispid or scabrous. Leaves suborbicular to ovate, 5-15 cm long and wide, shallowly 3-7-lobate, the apex of the lobes rounded, the base cordate, the margin shallowly undulate denticulate, chartaceous, both the surfaces hispid or scabrous; petiole 5-15 cm long, hispid or scabrous. Staminate flowers axillary, fasciculate; peduncle 0.5-2.0 cm long; calyx subcylindrical, lobes 4-6 cm long, subulate, hirsute, green; corolla campanulate, the lobes ca. 1 cm long, yellow, oblong, the apex acute; stamens 6-8 mm long, the anthers 3-4 mm long, the appendix of connective dilated, bilobate; pistillode glandlike. Pistillate flowers in same axils as the staminate flowers; peduncles 1-2 cm long; calyx and corolla as in the staminate flowers; ovary ovoid to subcylindrical, tomentose, the style 1-2 mm long, the stigma forming a spherical head. Fruit variable in color, usually globose, smooth or reticulate, variable in size, glabrous or pubescent; seeds grayish white, oblong, compound, 7-12 mm long, 4-7 mm wide.
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Habit
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Vines
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Note
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The melon, muskmelon, or cantaloupe, native to the Old World tropics, is widely cultivated for food in temperate and tropical regions throughout the world. It frequently persists after cultivation or as an escape in ruderal areas. This is a highly variable species with numerous described wild and cultivated varieties. The taxonomy is much in the need of revision.
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Specimen
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PANAMA: Panama Viejo, Bristan P112 (MO).
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Tag
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Project Name
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Tag
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