Watermelon
watermelon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Cucurbitales Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Citrullus Species: C. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Magnoliopsida is the Botanical name for a class of Flowering plants By definition the class will include the family Magnoliaceae, but its The Cucurbitales are an order of Flowering plants included in the Rosid group of Dicotyledons This order mostly belongs to tropical areas with limited Cucurbitaceae is a Plant family commonly known as Melons, gourds or cucurbits and includes crops like Cucumbers Citrullus is a small genus of Desert Vines among which Citrullus lanatus (the Watermelon) is an important crop Lanatus
Binomial name
Citrullus lanatus (Thunb. Early life Thunberg was born at Jönköping, and became a pupil of Carolus Linnaeus at Uppsala University. ) Matsum. & Nakai

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai, family Cucurbitaceae) refers to both fruit and plant of a vine-like (climber and trailer) herb originally from southern Africa and one of the most common types of melon. was a Japanese botanist, born in Ibaraki-Ken, of a Samurai family Takenoshin Nakai (1882-1952 was a Japanese botanist. Early life Thunberg was born at Jönköping, and became a pupil of Carolus Linnaeus at Uppsala University. Cucurbitaceae is a Plant family commonly known as Melons, gourds or cucurbits and includes crops like Cucumbers The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. A(n herb (ˈhɝb or /ˈɝb/ see pronunciation differences) is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties flavor scent or the like Melon is a term used for various members of the Cucurbitaceae family with fleshy fruit This flowering plant produces a special type of fruit known by botanists as a pepo, which has a thick rind (exocarp) and fleshy center (mesocarp and endocarp); pepos are derived from an inferior ovary and are characteristic of the Cucurbitaceae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Botany, plant science(s, phytology, or plant biology is a branch of Biology and is the scientific study of plant Life An epigynous berry or false berry is an Accessory fruit found in certain Plant species with an inferior ovary, distinguishing it from Peel, also known as rind or skin, is the outer protective layer of a Fruit or Vegetable which could be peeled off A Fruit in Botany refers to a mature ovary. In fleshy fruits the outer often edible layer is the pericarp, which is the tissue that develops The watermelon fruit, loosely considered a type of melon (although not in the genus Cucumis), has a smooth exterior rind (green and yellow) and a juicy, sweet, usually red or yellow, but sometimes orange, interior flesh. Melon is a term used for various members of the Cucurbitaceae family with fleshy fruit Cucumis is a genus of twining, Tendril -bearing plants in the Cucurbitaceae family which includes the Cucumber, true The flesh consists of highly developed placental tissue within the fruit.

History

David Livingstone,an explorer of Africa, described watermelon as abundant in the Kalahari desert, where it is believed to have originated. Dr David Livingstone (19 March 1813 &ndash 1 May 1873 was a British Congregationalist pioneer medical Missionary with the London Missionary Society There, the ancestral melon grows wild and is known as the Tsamma melon (Citrullus lanatus var tastius). It is recognizable by its pinnatifid leaves and prolific fruit, up to 100 melons on a single vine. Pinnate is a term used to describe Feather -like or multi-divided features arising from both sides of a common axis in Plant or Animal structures and comes For this reason it is a popular source of water in the diet of the indigenous people. The flesh is similar to the rind of a watermelon and is often known as citron melon (distinct from the actual citron, of the citrus family); it is used for making jam and other preserves, and because of its high content of pectin is popular as a constituent of jams, jellies, and other gelled preserves. The citron melon (Citrullus lanatus or tsamma, is thought to be the original/ancestral variety of Watermelon, a cucurbit. The citron is a fragrant fruit with the botanical name Citrus medica L Pectin (from Greek πηκτικός - pektikos, "congealed curdled" a white to light brown powder is a Heteropolysaccharide It has established itself in the wild in Baja California. Baja California (pronounced ˈbɑːhɑː kælɨˈfɔrnjə in English is the northernmost state of Mexico.

Watermelons on display by a roadside vendor in Delhi, India

It is not known when the plant was first cultivated, but Zohary and Hopf note evidence of its cultivation in the Nile Valley from at least as early as the second millennium BC. Delhi (दिल्ली ਦਿੱਲੀ دلی d̪ɪlːiː sometimes referred to as Dilli) is the second largest metropolis of India, with a population India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Nile (النيل, Ancient Egyptian iteru or Ḥ'pī, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing River The 2nd millennium BC marks the transition from the Middle to the Late Bronze Age. Finds of the characteristically large seed are reported in Twelfth dynasty sites; numerous watermelon seeds were recovered from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. The Eleventh (all of Egypt Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Dynasties of ancient Egypt are often combined under the group title Middle Kingdom. Pharaoh is the title given in modern parlance to the ancient Egyptian kings of all periods ^[1]

By the 10th century AD, watermelons were being cultivated in China, which is today the world's single largest watermelon producer. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National By the 13th century, Moorish invaders had introduced the fruit to Europe; and, according to John Mariani's The Dictionary of American Food and Drink, "watermelon" made its first appearance in an English dictionary in 1615. The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of Muslim (and earlier non-Muslim people of Berber and Arab descent

In Vietnam, legend holds that watermelon was discovered in Vietnam long before it reached China, in the era of the Hùng Kings. According to legend, watermelon was discovered by Prince Mai An Tiêm, an adopted son of the 11th Hùng King. When he was exiled unjustly to an island, he was told that if he could survive for six months, he would be allowed to return. When he prayed for guidance, a bird flew past and dropped a seed. He cultivated the seed and called its fruit "dưa tây" or western melon, because the birds who ate it flew from the west. When the Chinese took over Vietnam in about 110 BC, they called the melons "dưa hảo" (good melon) or "dưa hấu". "dưa Tây", "dưa hảo", "dưa hấu" -- all words for "watermelon". An Tiêm's island is now a peninsula in the suburban district of Nga Sơn. ^[2][3]

Museums Online South Africa list watermelons as having been introduced to North American Indians in the 1500s. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States Early French explorers found Native Americans cultivating the fruit in the Mississippi Valley. The Mississippi River is the second longest River in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to Many sources list the watermelon as being introduced in Massachusetts as early as 1629. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Southern food historian John Egerton has said he believes African slaves helped introduce the watermelon to the United States. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive The Atlantic Slave trade, also known as the transatlantic slave trade, was the trade of African people supplied to the Colonies of the New World The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Texas Agricultural Extension horticulturalist Jerry Parsons, Ph. D. , lists African slaves and European colonists as having distributed watermelons to many areas of the world. Parsons also mentions the crop being farmed by Native Americans in Florida (by 1664) and the Colorado River area (by 1799). Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately Other early watermelon sightings include the Midwestern states (1673), Connecticut (1747), and the Illiana region (1822). Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Illiana is the general area around the border between the US states of Illinois and Indiana, containing the eastern edge of Illinois and the western

Seedless Watermelon.

Until the 1940s, however, it was hard to find watermelons in good condition at grocery stores. Melon lovers had to grow their own, which tended not to keep for long, purchase them from local grocers supplied by truck farmers, or purchase them from roadside produce stands. Truck farming is the cultivation of one or a few Fruit or Vegetable Crops on a relatively large scale for transport to distant markets where the Now they can be found in most local grocery stores, and if preferred in slices or whole, with seeds or without.

Then Charles Fredric Andrus, a horticulturist at the USDA Vegetable Breeding Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina, set out to produce a disease-resistant and wilt-resistant watermelon. Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. The result was "that gray melon from Charleston. " Its oblong shape and hard rind made it easy to stack and ship. Its adaptability meant it could be grown over a wide geographical area. It produced high yields and was resistant to the most serious watermelon diseases: anthracnose and fusarium wilt. Canker and anthracnose are general terms for a large number of different Plant Diseases characterised by broadly similar Symptoms including the Fusarium oxysporum, also referred to as Panama disease or Agent Green, is a Fungus that causes Fusarium wilt disease in Today, farmers in approximately 44 states in the U. S. grow watermelon commercially, and almost all these varieties have some Charleston Gray in their lineage. Georgia, Florida, Texas, California and Arizona are the USA's largest watermelon producers. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States.

This now-common watermelon is large enough that groceries often sell half or quarter melons. There are also some smaller, spherical varieties of watermelon, both red- and yellow-fleshed, sometimes called "icebox melons. "

Culture

Flower stems of male and female watermelon blossoms, showing ovary (incipient fruit if pollinated) on the female

For commercial plantings, one beehive per acre (over 9,000 m² per hive) is the minimum recommendation by the US Department of Agriculture for pollination of conventional, seeded varieties. In the Flowering plants an ovary is a part of the female reproductive organ of the flower or Gynoecium. A beehive is in a general sense an enclosed structure in which some species of Honey bees (genus Apis) live and raise their young Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female Because seedless hybrids have sterile pollen, pollinizer rows of varieties with viable pollen must also be planted. A pollenizer or polleniser, sometimes pollinizer or polliniser (see spelling differences) is a Plant that provides Pollen Since the supply of viable pollen is reduced and pollination is much more critical in producing the seedless variety, the recommended number of hives per acre, or pollinator density, increases to three hives per acre (1,300 m² per hive). A pollinator is the biotic agent ( vector) that moves Pollen from the male Anthers of a Flower to the female stigma of a flower to accomplish

Square watermelon from Japan

In Japan, farmers of the Zentsuji region found a way to grow cubic watermelons, by growing the fruits in glass boxes and letting them naturally assume the shape of the receptacle. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. is a city located in Kagawa, Japan. As of 2003, the city has an estimated Population of 36010 and the density of 902 ^[4] The square shape is designed to make the melons easier to stack and store, but the square watermelons are often more than double the price of normal ones. Pyramid shaped watermelons have also been developed.

A group of watermelon leaves

A closeup of a watermelon leaf

Seedless watermelons

Although so-called "seedless" watermelons have far fewer seeds than the seeded varieties, they generally contain at least a few soft, pale seeds. They are the product of crossing a female tetraploid plant (itself the product of genetic manipulation, using colchicine) with diploid pollen. Polyploidy occurs in cells and Organisms when there are more than two homologous sets of Chromosomes. Genetic engineering, Recombinant DNA technology, genetic modification/manipulation (GM and gene splicing are terms that apply to the direct Colchicine is a highly poisonous Natural product and Secondary metabolite, originally extracted from plants of the genus Colchicum ( Autumn "Haplo" redirects here For the fictional character see The Death Gate Cycle. Pollen is a fine to coarse powder consisting of microgametophytes ( pollen grains) which produce the male Gametes (sperm cells of The resulting triploid plant is sterile, but will produce the seedless fruit if pollenized by a diploid plant. Polyploidy occurs in cells and Organisms when there are more than two homologous sets of Chromosomes. For this reason, commercially available seedless watermelon seeds actually contain two varieties of seeds; that of the triploid seedless plant itself (recognizable because the seed is larger), and the diploid plant which is needed to pollenize the triploid. Unless both plant types are grown in the same vicinity, no seedless fruit will result. This system for growing seedless watermelons was first developed by H. Kihara in Japan and subsequently improved by O J Eigsti in partnership with Kihara. This scientific relationship was begun at the Third International Genetics Congress, held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1948.

Their collaboration lasted for over 20 years until Kihara died in 1986. Eigsti (who was a professor at Goshen College in Goshen, IN) developed a tetraploid hybrid in the 1950s which became the gold standard for all seedless watermelons developed since then. In 1986, Eigsti's company was reorganized and a joint venture (American Sunmelon) was entered into with SunWorld International and in the ensuing eleven years seedless watermelon became a staple in supermarkets around the world. In 1998, Eigsti's tetraploid hybrid along with all of the assets of American Sunmelon were sold to Syngenta, the seed producing arm of Novartis A. G.

As food and drink

Watermelon output in 2005

Fresh watermelon may be eaten in a variety of ways and is also often used to flavor summer drinks and smoothies. A smoothie is a blended chilled sweet beverage made from fresh fruit

A one-cup serving of watermelon will provide around 48 Calories. This article is about the unit of energy For its use in Nutrition and Food labelling regulations, see the article on Food energy. Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, with one serving containing 14. Vitamin C or L-ascorbate is an Essential nutrient for a large number of higher primate species a small number of other Mammalian Vitamin A refers to a family of similarly shaped molecules the Retinoids. 59 mg of vitamin C and 556. 32 IU of vitamin A. Watermelon also provides significant amounts of vitamin B6 and vitamin B1, as well as the minerals potassium and magnesium. Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble Vitamin. Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP is the active form and is a cofactor in many reactions of Amino acid metabolism including For the similarly spelled pyrimidine see Thymine Thiamin or thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1 Potassium (pəˈtæsiəm is a Chemical element. It has the symbol K (kalium from qalīy Atomic number 19 and Atomic mass 39 Magnesium (mægˈniːziəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Mg, Atomic number 12 Atomic weight 24 Pink watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. Carotenoids are organic Pigments that are naturally occurring in Chromoplasts of plants and some other photosynthetic Organisms An antioxidant is a Molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules Lycopene is a bright red Carotenoid pigment and Phytochemical found in Tomatoes and other red fruits The amino acid citrulline was first extracted from watermelon and analysed. The Organic compound citrulline is an α- Amino acid. Its name is derived from citrullus, the Latin word for Watermelon, from which ^[5] Watermelons contain a significant amount of citrulline and after consumption of several kg an elevated concentration is measured in the blood plasma, this could be mistaken for citrullinaemia or other urea cycle disorder. The Organic compound citrulline is an α- Amino acid. Its name is derived from citrullus, the Latin word for Watermelon, from which Blood plasma is the Liquid component of Blood, in which the Blood cells are suspended Citrullinemia, also called citrullinuria, is an Autosomal recessive Urea cycle disorder that causes Ammonia and other toxic substances The urea cycle (also known as the ornithine cycle) is a cycle of biochemical reactions occurring in many animals that produces Urea ( N[[hydrogen ^[6]

Grilled watermelon, known as watermelon steak due to its visual similarity to raw steak, has started to become a popular item in restaurants. Watermelon steak is a grilled piece of Watermelon. Some who have tried it compare its texture to that of seared Tuna, while others claim it is unique in

Watermelon rinds are also edible, and sometimes used as a vegetable. The term " vegetable " generally means the edible parts of Plants The definition of the word is traditional rather than Scientific, however In China, they are stir-fried, stewed, or more often pickled. Stir frying is an Umbrella term used to describe two fast Chinese cooking techniques chǎo ( 炒) and bào ( 爆) A stew is a combination of Solid Food Ingredients that have been Cooked in Water or other water-based liquid typically by Simmering Pickling, also known as brining or corning, is the process of preserving Food by Anaerobic fermentation in Brine (a solution When stir-fried, the de-skinned and de-fruited rind is cooked with olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sugar and rum (and provides a great way to utilize the whole watermelon). Olive oil is a fruit oil obtained from the olive ( Olea europaea; family Oleaceae along with Lilacs Jasmine and ash trees Allium sativum L, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the Onion family Alliaceae. The chili pepper, chilli pepper, or chili, is the fruit of the plants from the Genus Capsicum, which are members of the nightshade "Green onions" redirects here For other uses see Green onion. Sugar is a class of edible Crystalline substances mainly Sucrose, Lactose, and Fructose. Rum is a Distilled beverage made from Sugarcane by-products such as Molasses and sugarcane Juice by a process of fermentation Pickled watermelon rind is also commonly consumed in the Southern US,^[7] Russia, Ukraine, and Romania. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania

Watermelon seeds are rich in fat and protein, and are widely eaten as a snack, added to other dishes, or used as an oilseed. A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl A snack food (commonly called a snack) is seen in Western culture as a type of food not meant to be eaten as a main Meal of the day – Breakfast Specialized varieties are grown which have little watery flesh but concentrate their energy into seed production. In China watermelon seeds are one of the most common snack foods, popular especially with women, competing with sunflower seeds, and sold roasted and seasoned. The sunflower seed is the Fruit of the Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus) Alternate meanings Seasoning (cast iron; Seasoning (wood; Seasoning (slave Seasoning is the process of imparting or improving In West Africa, they are pressed for oil, and are popular in egusi soup and other dishes. West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. Egusi seeds are the Fat - and Protein -rich Seeds of certain Cucurbitaceous plants There can be some confusion between seed-specialized watermelon varieties and the colocynth, a closely-related species with which they share many characteristics, uses, and similar or identical names. "Bitter-apple" and spelling variants redirect here This is also used for the poisonous Soda Apple, a species of Nightshade.

Watermelon is 92 percent water by weight. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. ^[8] Throughout the western world, one may also find an alcoholic novelty known as a hard watermelon, or a watermelon that has been enhanced with an alcoholic beverage. The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings This process involves boring a hole into the watermelon, then pouring the liquor inside and allowing it to mix with the flesh of the fruit. In Machining, boring is the process of enlarging a hole that has already been drilled (or cast by means of a single-point cutting tool (or of a boring The watermelon is then cut and served as normal.

Watermelon is also mildly diuretic. A diuretic is any Drug that elevates the rate of urination ( Diuresis)

Varieties

Watermelon with yellow flesh

• Yellow Watermelon: variety of watermelon that has a yellow colored flesh. This particular type of watermelon has been described as "sweeter" and more "honey" flavored than the more popular red flesh watermelon. ^[9]

• Orangeglo: This variety has a very sweet orange pulp, and is a large oblong fruit weighing 9-14kg (20-30 pounds). It has a light green rind with jagged dark green stripes. It takes about 90-100 days from planting to harvest. ^[10]

• The Moon and Stars variety of watermelon has been around since at least the 1930s. The rind is purple/black and has many small yellow circles (stars) and one or two large yellow circles (moon). The melon weighs 9-23kg (20-50 pounds). ^[11] The flesh is pink or red and has brown seeds. The foliage is also spotted. The time from planting to harvest is about 90 days. ^[12]

• Cream of Saskatchewan: This variety consists of small round fruits, around 25cm (10 inches) in diameter. It has a quite thin, light green with dark green striped rind, with sweet white flesh and black seeds. It can grow well in cool climates. It was originally brought to Saskatchewan, Canada by Russian immigrants. Saskatchewan (səˈskætʃəwən) is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of 588276 Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page These melons take 80-85 days from planting to harvest. ^[13]

• Melitopolski: This variety has small round fruits roughly 28-30cm (11-12 inches) in diameter. It is an early ripening variety that originated from the Volga River region of Russia, an area known for cultivation of watermelons. The Melitopolski watermelons are seen piled high by vendors in Moscow in summer. This variety takes around 95 days from planting to harvest. ^[14]

Cultural uses and references

The plentiful watermelon on the table in Boris Kustodiev's famous Merchant's Wife represent a care-free, happy existence far from the reality of 1918 Russia when it was painted. Boris Mikhaylovich Kustodiev (Бори́с Миха́йлович Кусто́диев ( March 7, 1878 &ndash May 28, 1927) was a Russian

Watermelons are used in many parts of the world as symbols and during various celebrations.

• Art related to the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos commonly depicts watermelons being eaten by the dead or shown in close conjunction with the dead. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The This theme appears regularly on ceramics and in other art from the holiday. The word ceramic is derived from the Greek word κεραμικός ( keramikos) Watermelons also appear as a subject in Mexican still life art. This article is about Still Life (or still lifes as plural the art form

• In Vietnam watermelon is used as part of the Vietnamese New Year's holiday, Tết, because it is considered a lucky colour. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially This article is about the Vietnamese holiday For the 1968 military operation that began on that holiday see Tết Offensive. The seeds are also consumed during the holiday as a snack. A snack food (commonly called a snack) is seen in Western culture as a type of food not meant to be eaten as a main Meal of the day – Breakfast

• In the 19th and early 20th centuries, African Americans often were depicted in racist caricatures as being inordinately fond of watermelon. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa List of racism-related topics|Racism by country Racism, by its simplest definition is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that A caricature is either a Portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness or in literature a description

• The same depiction of the African American people's fondness of watermelon is used in some eastern states in Mexico. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. However, it's not considered racist due to the great African heritage of the people from those areas.

• The fruit is extremely popular in the southern United States and has also led to self-parody in the annual watermelon seed-spitting contests of Georgia's Redneck Games. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive A self-parody is a Parody of oneself or one's own work As an artist accomplishes it by imitating his or her own characteristics a self-parody is potentially difficult to distinguish "Redneck Games" is also the name of a duet song by country music singer Alan Jackson and comedian Jeff Foxworthy.

• Country music singer Tracy Byrd released a single called "Watermelon Crawl", a song about a dance at a fictional watermelon festival. Tracy Byrd (born Tracy Lynn Byrd, December 17, 1966 in Vidor Texas) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter.

• The Oklahoma State Senate passed a bill on 17 April 2007 declaring watermelon as the official state vegetable, with some controversy as the watermelon is considered by many to be a fruit. Oklahoma ( is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The term " vegetable " generally means the edible parts of Plants The definition of the word is traditional rather than Scientific, however ^[15]

• A carved watermelon is worn as a hat by fans of the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders in imitation of the players' helmets as a symbol of their 'Rider Pride' due the team's official colors of green, white, black, and silver. The Canadian Football League (CFL ( Ligue canadienne de football (LCF in The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan, founded in 1910.

• R. Lee Ermey often uses watermelons as targets during his weapons demonstrations on his television show Mail Call. Ronald Lee Ermey (born March 24 1944 is a former US Marine Corps Drill instructor and later Golden Globe -nominated Actor, often playing Mail Call is a documentary Television program appearing on The History Channel and hosted by R

• Country music singer Tom T. Hall had a number one hit in 1973 entitled "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine. Tom T Hall (born May 25, 1936 in Olive Hill, Kentucky) is an American country balladeer, Songwriter, and "

• In political usage particularly in Australia, the term 'watermelon' is often a label applied to environmental political groups implying that they're "green on the outside but red on the inside". Eco-socialism, Green socialism or Socialist ecology is an Ideology merging aspects of Marxism, Socialism, Green politics Environmentalism is a broad philosophy and Social movement centered on a concern for the conservation and improvement of the environment. Marxism is the political philosophy and practice derived from the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

See also

• List of fruits
• Vampire pumpkins and watermelons
• Watermelon stomach
• Gallagher, a prop comic whose most famous bit involves smashing watermelons

Notes

References

• United States Watermelon Speed Eating and Seed Spitting Championships held during Pardeeville Watermelon Festival in Chandler Park, Pardeeville, WI, USA, first Saturday after Labor Day. -M
• Blomberg, Marina (June 10, 2004). Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " "In Season: Savory Summer Fruits." The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.
• "An African Native of World Popularity." Texas A&M University Aggie Horticulture website. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.
• Blomberg, Marina (June 10, 2004). Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " "In Season: Savory Summer Fruits." The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.
• "Charles Fredric Andrus: Watermelon Breeder." Cucurbit Breeding Horticultural Science. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.
• "Crop Production: Icebox Watermelons." Washington State University Vancouver Research and Extension Unit website. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.
• Hamish, Robertson. "Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon, Tsamma)." Museums Online South Africa. Retrieved Mar. 15, 2005.
• Motes, J. E. ; Damicone, John; Roberts, Warren; Duthie, Jim; Edelson, Jonathan. "Watermelon Production." Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.
• Parsons, Jerry, Ph. D. (June 5, 2002). Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. "Gardening Column: Watermelons." Texas Cooperative Extension of the Texas A&M University System. Jul. 17, 2005.
• "Redneck Olympics." ISKRA television. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.
• Shosteck, Robert (1974). Flowers and Plants: An International Lexicon with Biographical Notes. Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co. : New York.
• "Watermelon." The George Mateljan Foundation for The World's Healthiest Foods. Retrieved Jul. 28, 2005.
• "Watermelon Production and Consumption Demographics."
• "Watermelon History." National Watermelon Promotion Board website. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.
• Wolford, Ron and Banks, Drusilla. "Watch Your Garden Grow: Watermelon." University of Illinois Extension. Retrieved Jul. 17, 2005.