Cucumis melo Linn. (VISAMUSTI)

Visamusti in the present context is different from Nux-vomica.  Considering the fact that earlier and the later herbs described belong to Cucurbitaceae the author is of the opinion that this is one of the Cucumis varieties which is famous as kharbuja (yellow muskmelon or sweet muskmelon).

Musk melon (Cucumis melo) is a species of melon that has been developed into many cultivated varieties. These include smooth skinned varietes, such as honeydew, and different netted cultivars known as cantaloupes (some of which, confusingly, may be particularly identified as “muskmelon”). Muskmelon is native to northwestern India from where it spread to China and Europe. The varied cultivars produced have been divided into multiple cultivar groups.

• The Cantalupensis group includes the European “cantaloupe” with skin that is rough and warty, not netted. It is grown in South Africa, where it is called the spanspek. Listed sometimes as Cucumis melo cantalupensis.

• The Chito group is the “garden melon.” Also known as the “chate” of Egypt, “mango melon,” “lemon melon,” “orange melon,” “apple melon,” or “vine peach.” Referred to sometimes as Cucumis melo melo chito.

• The Conomon group is the “Oriental pickling melon”; it is also known as the “Sweet melon,” “Chekiang melon,” or “Chinese white cucumber.”

• The Dudaim group is the “apple melon” (although see Chito group above); it is also known as the “fragrant melon,” “pocket melon,” “Queen Anne’s pocket melon,” “vine pomegranate,” “plum granny,” and “dudaim melon.” Listed sometimes within Cucumis melo melo var. chito.

• The Flexuosus group is the “Azerbaijanian cucumber;” also known as the “Armenian cucumber,” “snake melon,” “serpent cucumber,” “snake cucumber,” “serpent melon,” or “Oriental cucumber.”

• The Inodorus group includes “honeydew melon” (aka “honeydew”), “crenshaw melon,” “casaba melon” (aka “casaba”),Hami melon, Piel de Sapo, “winter melon,” “American melon,” “fragrant melon,” or “Oriental sweet melon.” These have smooth rinds and do not have a musky odor. It is the third most popular type of melon, after the watermelon and cantaloupe. Honeydew has a smooth, white rind and sweet green flesh. When eaten, the texture is similar to a reticulated cantaloupe, but the flavor more subtle and sweeter. Classified sometimes as Cucumis melo inodorus.

• The Makuwa Group is the “Japanese cantaloupe;” it is eaten in Japanese and Korean cuisine and is called chamoe in Korean.

The Reticulatus Group includes the “netted melon,” “winter melon,” and “”North American” cantaloupe.” Other common names are the “nutmeg melon” and “Persian melon.” “Muskmelon” is also sometimes used to refer to this type in particular. These are the most popular melons cultivated in commerce. They are classified as Cucumis melo melo var. cantalupensis by some authors. This group includes the recently rediscovered Montreal melon.