Citrullus lanatus var. citroides
Wild watermelon
(c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Cucurbitaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (Wild watermelon) is a non-native California vine in the Cucurbitaceae family, recognized by African genus; wild watermelon represents limited naturalization of this genus in California's desert regions.
Wild watermelon is a naturalized annual found in the southwestern deserts and Mojave Desert in disturbed areas at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to green flowers with distinctive large fruits. Growing with sprawling vines that can spread extensively across open ground, it develops robust branching stems. Its leaves are typically large and deeply lobed with characteristic green coloration. The fruit is notably large, green with darker green striping or mottling, containing white to black seeds within its pale flesh.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: African genus; wild watermelon represents limited naturalization of this genus in California's desert regions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, San Joaquin, Kings, Stanislaus, Butte, Santa Barbara
Outside California: western Mexico, native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Citrullus lanatus var. citroides blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Cucurbita: Citrullus tendrils branch like forks; Cucurbita tendrils never branch.; vs Cucumis: Citrullus leaves are lacy and finely divided; Cucumis leaves have simple, broad lobes.; vs Solanum: Citrullus has branched tendrils and vine habit; Solanum lacks tendrils entirely.; vs Brandegea: Citrullus has large yellow flowers over 2 cm; Brandegea has tiny white flowers under 3 mm.; vs Marah: Citrullus flowers are yellow and flat; Marah flowers are white/cream.
Frequently asked questions
Is Citrullus lanatus var. citroides native to California?
No. Citrullus lanatus var. citroides is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Citrullus lanatus var. citroides bloom?
Citrullus lanatus var. citroides blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Citrullus lanatus var. citroides grow?
Citrullus lanatus var. citroides occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, San Joaquin, Kings, Stanislaus and other counties, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Citrullus lanatus var. citroides belong to?
Citrullus lanatus var. citroides is in the Cucurbitaceae family, genus Citrullus.
What habitat does Citrullus lanatus var. citroides grow in?
Citrullus lanatus var. citroides grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.