Kingdom Plantae Family Cucurbitaceae Scientific name Acanthosicyos horridus | Order Cucurbitales Genus Acanthosicyos Rank Species | |
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Similar Acanthosicyos, Acanthosicyos naudinianus, Cayaponia, Telfairia pedata, Citrullus ecirrhosus | ||
Acanthosicyos horridus is an unusual melon that occurs only in Namibia; it is locally called naras or nara.
The nara plant is leafless, the modified stems and spines serve as the photosynthetic "organs" of the plant.
The edible seeds are known locally as butterpips.
The fruit serves as an essential food source for Topnaar people from February to April and August to September. The katydid Acanthoproctus diadematus feeds on the plant, moving between different bushes at night.
References
Acanthosicyos horridus Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA