Cucumis melo

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/cucumis-melo

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Cucumis melo
2. What is the origin and domestication?Originated in Africa over 4,000 years ago, spread via ancient trade routes
3. What are the different types of melons in the Cucumis melo family?The family includes cantaloupe, which has a net‑like skin and orange flesh; honeydew, with a smooth skin and green flesh; and winter melons that are often used in soups. Each type tastes a little different.
4. Where did melons first grow and how did they spread?Scientists think the first melons grew in Africa, maybe near the Nile or in West Africa, more than 4,000 years ago. From there they traveled east to places like Persia and China, and west to Europe with the Romans and traders.

Phenotypic Plasticity: The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental changes.
Cucurbitaceae: A plant family that includes gourds, melons, cucumbers, and pumpkins.
Germplasm Conservation: The preservation of genetic material from plants to maintain biodiversity.
Antioxidant: A substance that inhibits oxidation, protecting cells from damage.