The watermelon is a scrambling, trailing vine cultivated worldwide for its large fruit, a firm-rinded berry usually red or pink inside and seeded, though seedless varieties exist. It was first domesticated in Sudan and was already being cultivated in Egypt by 2000 BC, with wild watermelon seeds found at a Libyan site dating to about 3500 BC. In 2024 China produced 60 percent of the world's 105 million tonnes of watermelons. The sweet, juicy flesh is usually deep red to pink, with many seeds that are black when mature and white when immature, and dessert watermelons spread across the Mediterranean world during Roman antiquity.
Facts
Scientific Name Domestication Region Domesticated When (Circa)by circa 2000 BC (cultivated in Egypt); wild watermelon seeds attested in Libya circa 3500 BC 3 Era
Era (category) In the Other Atlases
Era Of Origin
Also in History Atlas: the era this subject comes from.
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database: USDA PLANTS profile data for Citrullus lanatus
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS DatabasePlantProfile, DurationsQuote, PlantProfile, Durations
"Durations": [ "Annual" ]
2. Watermelon (Wikipedia)
- lead: large edible berry
- lead: fruit can be eaten raw or pickled, or consumed as juice
- lead: domesticated in Sudan and cultivated in Egypt by 2000 BC
View the Source3. Watermelon (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Cucurbitaceae. It is a scrambling and trailing vine-like plant cultivated worldwide.
Lead section, scientific name
Citrullus lanatus
Lead section, classification
The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Cucurbitaceae. It is a scrambling and trailing vine-like plant cultivated worldwide.
Lead section, domestication region
The modern watermelon originated in Sudan where it was first domesticated and cultivated.
Lead section, domestication date
Watermelons were domesticated in Sudan and cultivated in Egypt by 2000 BC.
lead description or Wikipedia lead (primary-uses)
Watermelons are grown in tropical to temperate regions for its large edible berry having a firm rind and no internal divisions; botanically, it is a pepo.
Lead section, production
In 2024, China produced 60% of the world's watermelons.
Production
In 2024, world production of watermelons was 105 million tonnes, led by China (mainland) accounting for 60% of the total (table).
Lead section, flesh
The sweet, juicy flesh is usually deep red to pink, with many seeds that are black when mature and white when immature.
Lead section, history
Hebrew texts from early in the Christian era place watermelon with other sweet table fruits, and dessert watermelons spread across the Mediterranean world during Roman antiquity.
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