Cucumis melo subsp. Agrestis var. agrestis (Roxb.) Cogn. In A. & C. DC (VALUKA)

Valuka is a variety of trapusa which is also mentioned in dhanvantari ighantu. Several varieties of cumber are available under the species C. sativus.  In south India trapusa is locally called as ‘dosa kaya’.  Author observs that the botanical source Cucumis melo var. agrestis (Syn: C. callosus (Rottl.) Cogn.; C. trigonus Roxb.) which is known as muskmelon or sweetmelon in the west is used as trapusa.  The actuals source C. sativus is known as ‘khira dosa kaya’.

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, which includes squash, and in the same genus as the muskmelon. The cucumber is a creeping vine that roots in the ground and grows up trellises or other supporting frames, wrapping around ribbing with thin, spiraling tendrils. The plant has large leaves that form a canopy over the fruit.

The fruit is roughly cylindrical, elongated, with tapered ends, and may be as large as 60 cm long and 10 cm in diameter. Cucumbers grown to be eaten fresh (called slicers) and those intended for pickling (called picklers) are similar. Cucumbers are mainly eaten in the unripe green form. The ripe yellow form normally becomes too bitter and sour. A few varieties of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless fruit without pollination. Pollination for these varieties degrades the quality. In the US, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded

• English cucumbers can grow as long as 2 feet (0.61 m). They are nearly seedless, have a delicate skin which is pleasant to eat, and are sometimes marketed as “Burpless”, because the seeds and skin of other varieties of cucumbers can give some people gas.
• Japanese cucumbers (kyūri) are mild, slender, deep green, and have a bumpy, ridged skin. They can be used for slicing, salads, pickling, etc., and are available year-round.
• Mediterranean cucumbers are small, smooth-skinned and mild. Like the English cucumber, Mediterranean cucumbers are nearly seedless.
• Persian Cucumber, better known as Mini seedless cucumbers, available from Canada during the summer, and all year-round from the Dominican. Increasing its popularity 30 to 40% a year. Easy to cut on average 5-8 in. long.
• Slicers grown commercially for the North American market are generally longer, smoother, more uniform in color, and have a much tougher skin. Slicers in other countries are smaller and have a thinner, more delicate skin.
• In North America, the term “wild cucumber” refers to manroot.

Cucumber is originated in India. Large genetic variety of cucumber has been observed in different parts of India.  It has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years in Western Asia, and was probably introduced to other parts of Europe by the Romans.

Botanical Description – Annual Climber growing to 1.5m. Fruits oval or cylindrical, smooth, yellow in colour, often spotted with dark green, when ripe bursts spontaneously, varies in size from 30-60 x 7-15 cm. The young fruits resemble the cucumber. The flesh is mealy and insipid. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).