Cucurbitaceae
Cucumis

Cucumis prophetarum L.

First published in Cent. Pl. I: 32 (1755)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is Mauritania to Arabian Peninsula, W. Asia to India. It is a scrambling annual and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Distribution

Native to:

Algeria, Benin, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gulf States, India, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon-Syria, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen

Introduced into:

Argentina Northwest, Germany

Synonyms

Homotypic Synonyms

Accepted Infraspecifics

Classification

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Publications

POWO follows these authorities in accepting this name:

  • Akoègninou, A., van der Burg, W.J. & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (eds.) (2006). Flore Analytique du Bénin: 1-1034. Backhuys Publishers.
  • Andersen, J.S. (1977). Flora Iranica 123: 1-14. Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz.
  • Barry, J. P. & Celles, J.S. (1991). Flore de Mauritanie 1: 1-359. Centre Regional de Documentation Pedagogique, Nice.
  • Boudet, G., Lebrun, J.P. & Demange, R. (1986). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Mali: 1-465. Etudes d'Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux.
  • Boulos, L. (2000). Flora of Egypt 2: 1-352. Al Hadara Publishing, Cairo.
  • Darbyshire, I., Kordofani, M., Farag, I., Candiga, R. & Pickering, H. (eds.) (2015). The Plants of Sudan and South Sudan: 1-400. Kew publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Dobignard, A. & Chatelain, C. (2011). Index synonymique de la flore d'Afrique du nord 3: 1-449. Éditions des conservatoire et jardin botaniques, Genève.
  • Edwards, S., Tadesse, M. & Hedberg, I. (eds.) (1995). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea 2(2): 1-456. The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia & The Department of Systematic Botany, Upps.
  • Ghazanfar, S.A. (1992). An Annotated Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Oman and their Vernacular names. Scripta Botanica Belgica 2: 1-153.
  • Govaerts, R. (1999). World Checklist of Seed Plants 3(1, 2a & 2b): 1-1532. MIM, Deurne.
  • Hassler, M. & Muer, T. (2022). Flora Germanica: alle Farn- und Blütenpflanzen Deutschlands in Text und Bild 1: 1-864. Verlag Regionalkultur, Uberstadt-Weiher.
  • Hutchinson, J., Dalziel, J.M. & Keay, R.W.J. (1954-1958). Flora of West Tropical Africa, ed. 2, 1: 1-828.
  • Jeffrey, C. (1967). Flora of Tropical East Africa, Cucurbitaceae: 1-156.
  • Kotiya, A., Solanki, Y. & Reddy, G.V. (2020). Flora of Rajasthan: 1-769. Rajasthan state biodiversity board.
  • Lebrun, J.P., Toutain, B., Gaston, A. & Boudet, G. (1991). Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Burkina Faso: 1-341. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.
  • Llewellyn, O.A., Hall, M., Miller, A.G., Al-Abbasi, T.M., Al-Wetaid, A.H., Al-Harbi, R.J. & Al-Shammari, K.F. (2011). Important plant areas in the Arabian peninsula: 4. Jabal Aja. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 68: 199-224.
  • Mao, A.A. & Dash, S.S. (2020). Flowering Plants of India an Annotated Checklist (Dicotyledons) 1: 1-970. Botanical Survey of India.
  • Meena, S.L. (2012). A checklist of the vascular plants of Banaskantha district, Gujarat, India. Nelumbo 54: 39-91.
  • Miller, A.G. & Morris, M. (2004). Ethnoflora of Soqotra Archipelago: 1-759. The Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
  • Nazimuddin, S. & Naqvi, S.S.H. (1984). Flora of Pakistan 154: 1-56. Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi.
  • Onana, J.M. (2011). The vascular plants of Cameroon a taxonomic checklist with IUCN assessments: 1-195. National herbarium of Cameroon, Yaoundé.
  • Peyre de Fabregues, B. & Lebrun, J.-P. (1976). Catalogue des Plantes Vascularies du Niger: 1-433. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.
  • Renner, S.S. & Pandey, A.K. (2013). The Cucurbitaceae of India: Accepted names, synonyms, geographic distribution, and information on images and DNA sequences. PhytoKeys 20: 53-118.
  • Wood, J.R.I. (1997). A handbook of the Yemen Flora: 1-434. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Zuloaga, F.O. & Belgrano, M.J. (eds.) (2017). Flora Argentina. Flora vascular de la República Argentina 17: 1-434. INTA, IMBIV & IBODA.

Flora of West Tropical Africa

  • Chev. Bot. 292.
  • Cogn. & Harms in Engl. Pflanzenr. Cucurbit. 2: 140
  • —F.T.A. 2: 545

Kew Backbone Distributions

  • Akoègninou, A., van der Burg, W.J. & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (eds.) (2006). Flore Analytique du Bénin: 1-1034. Backhuys Publishers.
  • Audru, J., Cesar, J. & Lebrun, J.-P. (1994). Les Plantes Vasculaires de la République de Djibouti. Flore Illustrée 1: 1-336. CIRAD, Départerment d'Elevage et de Médecine vétérinaire, Djibouti.
  • Boulos, L. (2000). Flora of Egypt 2: 1-352. Al Hadara Publishing, Cairo.
  • Dobignard, A. & Chatelain, C. (2011). Index synonymique de la flore d'Afrique du nord 3: 1-449. Éditions des conservatoire et jardin botaniques, Genève.
  • Edwards, S., Tadesse, M. & Hedberg, I. (eds.) (1995). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea 2(2): 1-456. The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia & The Department of Systematic Botany, Upps.
  • Hassler, M. & Muer, T. (2022). Flora Germanica: alle Farn- und Blütenpflanzen Deutschlands in Text und Bild 1: 1-864. Verlag Regionalkultur, Uberstadt-Weiher.
  • Jeffrey, C. (1967). Flora of Tropical East Africa, Cucurbitaceae: 1-156.
  • Lebrun, J.P., Toutain, B., Gaston, A. & Boudet, G. (1991). Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Burkina Faso: 1-341. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.
  • Meena, S.L. (2012). A checklist of the vascular plants of Banaskantha district, Gujarat, India. Nelumbo 54: 39-91.
  • Onana, J.M. (2011). The vascular plants of Cameroon a taxonomic checklist with IUCN assessments: 1-195. National herbarium of Cameroon, Yaoundé.
  • Peyre de Fabregues, B. & Lebrun, J.-P. (1976). Catalogue des Plantes Vascularies du Niger: 1-433. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.
  • Quézel, P. (1958). Mission Botanique au Tibesti: 1-357. Université d'Alger.
  • Zuloaga, F.O. & Belgrano, M.J. (eds.) (2017). Flora Argentina. Flora vascular de la República Argentina 17: 1-434. INTA, IMBIV & IBODA.

Flora of Somalia

  • Flora Somalia, Vol 1, (1993) Author: by C. Jeffrey & M. Thulin [updated by M. Thulin 2008]

Flora of Tropical East Africa

  • C. Jeffrey in Kew Bulletin 15: 350 (1962).
  • L., Cent. 1: 32 (1755).

Other Data

Other Kew resources that provide information on this taxon:

Date Reference Identified As Barcode Type Status Has image?
Jan 1, 1990 Mathew, B. [6655] Kenya K000809255 Yes
Jan 1, 1990 Gillett, J.B.; Watson, R.M [23519] Somalia K000731942 Yes
Jan 1, 1989 Gillett, J.B.; Hemming, C.F.; Watson, R.M. [22132] Somalia K000731941 Yes
Jan 1, 1989 Mathew, B. [6456] Kenya K000809256 Yes
Jan 24, 1893 Bornmüller, J. [358] K000742809 Type Yes
Osborn, D.; Helmy, I. [s.n.] Egypt K004220805 No
Carter [1941] Sudan K000731935 Yes
Davis, P.H. [4614] West Bank K004220826 No
Gabrielith, R. (Miss) [136] Israel K004220819 No
Thulin, M.; Hedrén, M.; Abdi, M.D. [7289] Somalia K000731939 Yes
Mr. Frere [s.n.] India K002266992 Yes
Friss, I.; Tadesse, M.; Vollesen, K. [3224] Ethiopia K000809243 Yes
Ash, J. [1570] Ethiopia K:SPC-35677.000 No
Davis, P.H. [5025] Israel K004220827 No
Tweedie [2075] Kenya K:SPC-16143.000 No
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [3994] Kenya K:SPC-08088.000 No
Stocks [(bis)370] India K002266990 Yes
Aucher-Eloy, P.M.R. [4903] Oman K000742810 Type Yes
Milne-Redhead, E.; Taylor, P. [11278] Tanzania K:SPC-04978.000 No
Hooker, J.D.; Hanbury, D. [s.n.] Syria K004220828 No
Greenway, P.J. [10633] Tanzania K:SPC-25909.000 No
Stearn, W.T. [43] India K002266985 Yes
Whitaker, T.W. Ethiopia K:SPC-29453.000 No
Thulin, M.; Hedrén, M.; Abdi, M.D. [7458] Somalia K000731938 Yes
Carter, S.; Stannard, B. [136] Kenya K000809257 Yes
Shabetai, J.R. [F1726] Egypt K004220806 No
Dalzell, N.E. [s.n.] India K002266991 Yes
Gillett, J.B. [4651] Somalia K000731940 Yes
Smith, A.R.; Lavranos, J. [658] Yemen K000731947 Yes
Boulos, L.; Ali, T. [s.n.] Egypt K004220802 No
Bally, P.R.O.; Melville, R. [15808] Somalia K000731944 Yes
Friss, I.; Bidgood, S.; Wondefrash, M.; Getachew, E. [10558] Ethiopia K000731937 Yes
s.coll [51] Nigeria K000731902 Yes
Bhandari, M.M. [50] India K002266984 Yes
Dalziel, J.M. [348] Nigeria K004006796 Yes
Davis [3684] Israel K004220820 No
Dawe, M.T. [11] West Bank K004220825 No
Shabetai, J.R. [532] Egypt K004220801 No
Dinsmore, J.E. [[11199]] Israel K004220822 No
Dawe, M.T. [11] West Bank K004220824 No
Davis, P.H. [3650] Israel K004220823 No
Meyers, F.S.; Dinsmore, J.E. [1199] Israel K004220818 No
K:SPC-16142.000 No
Duthie, J.F. [4670] India K002266987 Yes
Arabian Peninsula K:SPC-65740.000 No
Polhill, R.; Paulo, S. [907] Kenya K:SPC-06589.000 No
Dalziel, J.M. [348] Nigeria K002267307 Yes
s.coll. [641] India K002266986 Yes
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [2359] Tanzania K:SPC-06935.000 No
Milne-Redhead, E.; Taylor, P. [11416] Kenya K:SPC-06590.000 No
Lavranos; Carter [24810] Somalia K000731945 Yes
Stocks [370] India K002266989 Yes
Gilbert, M.G. [1747] Ethiopia K:SPC-07625.000 No
Meyers, F.S.; Dinsmore, J.E. [7199a] Israel K004220821 No
Maserumule, M.K. [283] South Africa K002268479 Yes
Batt, G.R. Ethiopia K:SPC-07627.000 No
Carter [1838] Sudan K000731936 Yes
Boyko, H.; Tadmor, N. [s.n.] Israel K004220817 No
s.coll. [Cat. no. 6733] K001124684 Unknown Type Material Yes
Carter [1982] Sudan K000731934 Yes
s.coll [3521] Nigeria K000731904 Yes
McDonald [s.n.] Egypt K004220808 No
Gamble, J.S. [16521] India K002266988 Yes
Murray, G.W. [2986] Egypt K004220803 No
Radcliffe-Smith, A. [3920] Oman K:SPC-38197.000 No
Täckholm; Kassas; et al. [s.n.] Egypt K004220804 No

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Flora of Somalia

    • Flora of Somalia
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of West Tropical Africa

    • Flora of West Tropical Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • 'The Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.kew.org/herbcat [accessed on Day Month Year]'. Please enter the date on which you consulted the system.
    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Science Photographs

    • Copyright applied to individual images