Description of the Plant
Watermelons are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, muskmelons and gourds. Individual plants produce both male and female flowers and fruit size varies from 2 to 14 kg, depending on variety. However, seedless varieties will require pollinators.
Botany
Watermelon grows as a vine that sends out long runners along the ground.
Roots
The watermelon root system formation begins prior to emergence of cotyledons to the soil surface and reaches maximum extension by the time of flowering. Watermelon features a highly branching taproot extending up to 1 m deep into the soil. Some 15 or more lateral roots branch from the main root.
Stem
The stem is a long, trailing vine reaching 5 m and more in length, highly branched; forming secondary side shoots which, in turn, branch out. The vines, especially the younger shoots, are covered with long, woolly hairs protecting the plant from overheating.
Leaves
Watermelon leaves are dark green, with prominent veins. They have three large lobes, each further divided into smaller lobes. Watermelon leaves are heart shaped with three to seven lobes per leaf and are produced on trailing vines.
Flowers
Watermelon flowers are yellow having five petals, about 1 cm in diameter. Watermelon vines like squash, pumpkin and cucumber have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Plants are monoecious with yellow flowers that are approximately 3 cm in diameter.
Fruit
Fruit shape and appearance are quite varied, ranging from round to cylindrical and a single colour to various striped patterns on the fruit surface. Watermelon fruit is very large, smooth and oval to round. The skin can be solid green or green striped with yellow. The edible flesh is usually pink with many flat, oval, black seeds throughout. Seedless varieties also exist, as well as types with orange, yellow or white flesh.
Watermelons are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, muskmelons and gourds. Individual plants produce both male and female flowers and fruit size varies from 2 to 14 kg, depending on variety. However, seedless varieties will require pollinators.
Botany
Watermelon grows as a vine that sends out long runners along the ground.
Roots
The watermelon root system formation begins prior to emergence of cotyledons to the soil surface and reaches maximum extension by the time of flowering. Watermelon features a highly branching taproot extending up to 1 m deep into the soil. Some 15 or more lateral roots branch from the main root.
Stem
The stem is a long, trailing vine reaching 5 m and more in length, highly branched; forming secondary side shoots which, in turn, branch out. The vines, especially the younger shoots, are covered with long, woolly hairs protecting the plant from overheating.
Leaves
Watermelon leaves are dark green, with prominent veins. They have three large lobes, each further divided into smaller lobes. Watermelon leaves are heart shaped with three to seven lobes per leaf and are produced on trailing vines.
Flowers
Watermelon flowers are yellow having five petals, about 1 cm in diameter. Watermelon vines like squash, pumpkin and cucumber have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Plants are monoecious with yellow flowers that are approximately 3 cm in diameter.
Fruit
Fruit shape and appearance are quite varied, ranging from round to cylindrical and a single colour to various striped patterns on the fruit surface. Watermelon fruit is very large, smooth and oval to round. The skin can be solid green or green striped with yellow. The edible flesh is usually pink with many flat, oval, black seeds throughout. Seedless varieties also exist, as well as types with orange, yellow or white flesh.