I purchased a Kiwano, or Horned Melon from the Safeway at 4th and King. This particular melon came from New Zealand, is assigned produce number 4302. The Latin name is Cucumis metuliferus, but is also known as horned melon, African horned cucumber, jelly melon, hedged gourd, English tomato, as well as kiwano.

It was orange-yellow in color. It was 4.5 inches long and 3.25 inches wide. The spikes were sharp, but not sharp enough to cut the skin.

Once cut open, the melon looks like a combination of a melon and a cucumber. There is a fibrous membrane that runs the length of the melon. There are small "cells" where each seed floats within its own jelly-like substance. It's possible to scoop out a seed with it's jelly with a fork.

The melon has no odor until cut open. It smells slightly sweet, a bit citrusy, and similar to a tropic fruit that I can't put my finger on. It does not have a lot of flavor, but is sweet, jelly-like, and the seeds are a bit crunchy.

According to Wikipedia, the Kiwano melon is native to the Kalahari Desert in Africa. It is now grown in California and New Zealand. There is no particular season for the melon, but it's mostly sold in August to December.

The scientific taxonomy places the kiwano in the kingdom plantae, division magnoliophyta, class magoliopsida, order cucurbitales, family cucurbitaceae, genus cucumis, species c. metuliferus.

Photographic evidence of the melon is available on Flickr.