The ground melon, also known as lamb's milk fruit or small gourd, is harvested in the summer and autumn seasons. It can be eaten or used for medicinal purposes. Due to its plump shape, it is also known as milk melon. The tender fruit of the ground melon can be eaten raw and has high nutritional value. Let's learn about the culinary and medicinal value of ground melon and its cultivation methods.
Picture of ground melon
【Morphological Characteristics of Ground Melon】
The ground melon is a perennial herbaceous drought-tolerant plant that grows well in sandy and gravelly soils. It grows plump and looks like a loofah. It is commonly known as ground flower or milk melon in rural areas.
It can be found in sandy beaches, forest edges, grasslands, wastelands, slopes, and fields in the northeastern, northern, northwestern, and southern regions of China.
The ground melon is common in the north and rare or even nonexistent in the south. It is a drought-tolerant plant that generally grows in the vegetation of typical grasslands. It usually grows in sandy and gravelly soils and can be found in rural wastelands or field edges.
The ground melon has an interesting appearance, resembling a drop of water. It gradually tapers at both ends and swells in the middle, like a spindle.
The stem of the ground melon is relatively slender, but it has a soft texture and a low degree of lignification. Some livestock, such as goats, camels, and sheep, love to eat ground melon.
Picture of ground melon
【Culinary Value of Ground Melon】
The ground melon is nutritionally comprehensive, can be used for both medicine and food, grows vigorously, and has fewer pests and diseases. Therefore, it is considered a green food and nutritious vegetable. It has been consumed raw since ancient times and can also be washed and cooled before consumption, making it even more delicious and favored by local residents.
The ground melon can be eaten when it is tender, but not when it is slightly older. When it matures and breaks open, fluffy flying seeds similar to dandelions will come out. The stem of the ground melon is relatively slender and has a low degree of lignification, making it suitable for livestock grazing.
Camels, goats, and sheep especially like to eat the tender pods of ground melon. After it becomes dry and leaves fall off, its palatability decreases.
In terms of chemical composition, the ground melon has high nutritional value. Its protein content is close to that of alfalfa and comparable to wheat bran. It is also rich in crude fat and ash. Its calcium content is relatively high, close to that of common legume forage, and it contains very few indigestible nutrients. The ground melon not only has a relatively rich protein content, but also has good protein quality.
Picture of ground melon
【Cultivation Methods of Ground Melon】
1. Water
The ground melon mainly grows in many provinces in northern China, where water resources are relatively scarce. It can grow in relatively dry environments, indicating that it has a strong drought resistance. Therefore, besides watering during the vigorous growth period, there is generally no need to consider water too much during other times.
2. Light
As we all know, the northwest region of China has less precipitation, so the sunshine duration is relatively long, providing sufficient sunlight for plants. Therefore, what we need to do is not to shade the plants too much and allow the ground melon to enjoy the sunlight.
3. Soil
The main suitable soil for this plant is sandy or gravelly soil. Ground melons mainly grow in dry valleys, sand dunes, and other places, mainly because the soil in these areas is usually sandy or gravelly.
