Wild Gourd (Cucumis zeyheri)

Family Cucurbitaceae

 Uses
The non-bitter fruits are eaten raw or pickled. The bitter fruits are used as a (drastic) purgative.

 There is no information on the nutritive value of the fruits, but probably it is comparable to cucumber.

The fruits of Cucumis zeyheri contain cucurbitacins B and D. Cucurbitacins, which are known from many Cucurbitaceae and various other plant species, exhibit cytotoxicity (including antitumour activity), anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

 This species can be confused with Cucumis prophetarum which is found in East Africa and Asia.

Information from: http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=157330
Identified by Johan Baard http://www.ispot.org.za/node/158522