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Colocynth (Bitter apple)

Citrullus colocynthis

A desert vine producing small bitter fruit used medicinally and as breeding/rootstock material; not eaten fresh due to toxicity.

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Temperature

23-32°C (absolute 14-40°C)

Rainfall

300-500mm (absolute 250-4300mm)

Soil pH

4.5-7.5 (absolute 4-8)

Soil types

Sandy, well-drained desert soils.