Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
Fred Hsu (Wikipedia:User:Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Genus:
- Citrullus
- Species:
- Citrullus lanatus
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 1-2 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Navassa Island, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), melonworm moth (Diaphania hyalinata), Old Man Dart (Agrotis vetusta), Phyllira Tiger Moth (Grammia phyllira), Pyrausta sp., Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Sugarcane Midget (Elaphria nucicolora), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- pH:
- 5.8 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Native to arid regions; prefers sandy soils