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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #175163
Title: The elusive American melonleaf

Author
item Davis, Angela
item O'REILLY, RUDY - USDA,DIST.CONSERVATION
item LAZELL, JAMES - CONSERVATION AGENCY,DIR.

Submitted to: Cucurbit Network News
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/28/2004
Publication Date: 9/1/2005
Citation: Davis, A.R., O'Reilly, R.G., Lazell, J.D. 2005. The elusive American melonleaf. Cucurbit Network News. 12(2):2-3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This article documents the first Cayaponia americana (Lam.) Cogn. (American melonleaf) on Guana Island, in the British Virgin Islands.  A similar species, C. racemosa (P. Mill.) Cogn. (Mountain melonleaf), had previously been found on Guana Island.  This splendid cucurbit species is a New World perennial and is known by several common names (American melonleaf, and Bejuco de torero (Bullfighter vine).  It has reportedly been used as a remedy for scabies.  You can find this species in open, moist regions at lower and middle elevations from Cuba to the Lesser Antilles.