Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: tsamma melon, Watermelon

Family: Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber)

Synonym: Citrullus lanatus var. citroides

Distribution: Kalahari

Life form: Annual plant

Comments: In the old days it was almost impossible to travel in the Kalahari desert except during a good tsamma year. The fruit supplied food and water for oxen and even travellers. A person can survive for six weeks on an exclusive diet of tsamma.