Family: Cucurbitaceae

Synonym: Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.,Cucumis citrullus (L.) Ser.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Tarmuj.

Tribal name: Fray (Khumi), Fang-mazil (Lushai), Fray ui (Murang), Nandul (Pangkhoa), Pha-hri-sthei (Rakhaing).

English name: Watermelon.

Description of the plant: A spreading, hairy, tendril-bearing annual vine. Tendrils puberulous, bifid.Leaves long-stalked, oblong-ovate, 8-20 cm long, deeply 3-7 lobed, pinnatifid with usually narrowed segments.Plant monoecious, floweryellow, and about 2 cm in diameter, occurring singly in axils of the leaves. Fruit large, about 30 cm in diameter, subglobose or ellipsoid, smooth, green or variegated, pulp soft and juicy, red; seeds compressed, sometimes red, and usually black.

Plant parts used: Fruit, seed, root.

Herbal uses: Paste of seed mixed with the sugar and water to make mixture then the mixture is taken to treat dysuria.

Powder made from rind of the fruit is used for mouth sores treatment.

The juice of the roots is used for the treatment of haemorrhage after abortion.

Seeds of the plantare used to treat tapeworms and roundworms.

The rind of the fruit is prescribed in cases of alcoholic poisoning and diabetes.

The seeds of the plant are used in the treatment of the urinary passages and has been used to treat bed wetting.

A paste made with the seeds of the plant is applied to the affected areas to treat inflammation.

The fruit is used in herbal medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, acne, diabetes, and nephritic oedema. 

Distribution: The species is cultivated throughout the country mostly in Char areas.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….

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