Longitude (deg): -0.5. Latitude (deg): 50.9. Longitude (deg/min): 0ð 30' W. Latitude (deg/min): 50ð 60' N. Vice county name: West Sussex. Vice county no.: 13. Country: England. Stage: Plant. Identified by: Malcolm Storey. Category: standard photograph or close-up. Photographic equipment used: Nikon Coolpix 950.
licensed media from TrekNature DwCA without owner
TrekNature DwCA
This plant is a wild watermelon, related to the cultivated one. It is common in the Arabian deserts anbd southwards to Africa. In nature the watermelons are rather small, reaching a diameter of 7-10 cm. After ripe the round fruit dries out and rolls with the winds and winter water along the washes, breaks and dispers the seeds.
licensed media from TrekNature DwCA without owner
TrekNature DwCA
This plant is a wild watermelon, related to the cultivated one. It is common in the Arabian deserts anbd southwards to Africa. In nature the watermelons are rather small, reaching a diameter of 7-10 cm. After ripe the round fruit dries out and rolls with the winds and winter water along the washes, breaks and dispers the seeds.
This species is endemic to Hawaii island and rare. The Hawaii Biodiversity and Mapping Program in 2008 reported the plant to have historically occurred in Kipahulu valley on Maui but is apparently extirpated from that island. USFWS reported in 2010 that only 24-26 wild plants exist in 10 populations on Hawaii island (Big Island). Unfortunately this species has not been listed as an endangered species and has remained on the 'Candidate' list since 1990. Elevation of this photo is around 4100ft/1250m. Note the 3-5 lobed leaves and varying from shallow to deep lobes.
Trailing vine growing on stabilized sands in back dunes habitat. A naturalized escape from cultivation found worldwide in tropical regions. Echinate fruit edible, turning yellow with maturity.