Cucumis metuliferus, the African horned cucumber, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family, Cucurbitaceae. Its fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name "horned melon". The ripe fruit has orange skin and lime-green, jelly-like flesh. It is native to Southern Africa, where it is a traditional food. Along with the gemsbok cucumber and the citron melon, it is one of the few sources of water during the dry season in the Kalahari Desert. This photograph, which was focus-stacked from 25 separate images, shows two C. metuliferus fruits, one whole and the other in cross-section.Photograph credit: Ivar Leidus
