The Cucurbits of Mediterranean Antiquity: Identification of Taxa from Ancient Images and Descriptions

• DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcm242
• Publication Date: 2007-10-11T20:15:06Z
• Authors: J. Janick; H. S. Paris; D. C. Parrish
• Keywords: Cucumis; Lagenaria; Melon; Cucurbitaceae; Citrullus

A critical analysis was made of cucurbit descriptions in Dioscorides' De Materia Medica, Columella's Re Rustica and Pliny's Historia Naturalis, works on medicine, agriculture natural science the 1st century ce, as well Mishna Tosefta, compilations rabbinic law derived from same time period together with images dating antiquity including paintings, mosaics sculpture. The goal to identify taxonomically Mediterranean cucurbits at Roman Empire. By ancient times, long-fruited forms Cucumis melo (melon) Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd) were selected, cultivated used vegetables around and, addition, bottle-shaped fruits L. employed vessels. Citrullus lanatus (watermelons) round-fruited (melons) also consumed, but less commonly. number species, Bryonia alba, B. dioica, colocynthis Ecballium elaterium, for medicinal purposes. No unequivocal evidence found suggest presence sativus (cucumber) area during this era. cucumis Columella Pliny not cucumber, commonly translated, subsp. Flexuosus Group (snake melon or vegetable melon).