The oriental melon (Cucumis melo Makuwa Group), is a group of Cucumis melo cultivars that are produced in East Asia.[1][2]Phylogenetic studies tracing the genetic lineage of the plant suggest that it may have originated in eastern India, having then spread to China over the Silk Road, from which it was introduced to Korea and Japan.[3][4][5] Its flavour has been described as a cross between a honeydew melon and a cucumber.[3] It is noticeably less sweet than Western varieties of melon, and consists of about 90% water.[6][7] The fruits are commonly eaten fresh; with its thin rind and small seeds, the melon can be eaten whole.[3][8]
^Katzir, Nurit (2000). Cucurbitaceae 2000: Working Group on Curcurbitaceae. Vol. 510. p. 391. ISBN978-9066058521. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
^Cite error: The named reference inv2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Kato, K.; Akashi, Y.; Tanaka, K.; Wako, T.; Masuda, M. (2001). "Genetic characterization of east and south Asian melons, Cucumis melo, by the analysis of molecular polymorphisms and morphological characters". Acta Hort. 588: 217–222.
^Cite error: The named reference Yamato1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).