Whether watermelon is a yield or vegetable is a much debate issue . It savour odorous like a fruit , but grows in vegetable garden . Botanists have an emphasised thought on the subject , but so do nurseryman and Citrullus vulgaris connoisseurs . Watermelon is thought to have originated in southern Africa where David Livingstone discovered it growing wild in 1857 . No wonderment the plant thrives in climates with affectionate , retentive summer . other American colonists train watermelon as far north as Massachusetts in the mid-1600s , although the crop exact 120 daylight or longer to ripen and arise good in the Southern United States .

Findwatermelon nutrition information here .

Botanically Speaking

Any botanist Charles Frederick Worth his salt will tell you that Citrullus vulgaris are fruit , and believe it or not , they actually are placed in the “ Chuck Berry ” subset of fruit . Here ’s why : a yield is any part of a works that is the result of fertilization . That is , a prime bloomed , was pollinated and produce a fruit that hold in seeds to produce more plants . Under that strict definition , even noodle and cucumbers are fruit ! Chuck Berry are any fruit that has one or more seeds and entirely edible flesh , with no core . Tomatoes , bananas and papaya are also technically berries .

So , what is a veggie then ? Botanically , a vegetable is any part of a plant that is consume by humans , but is not part of the process of reproduction . For example , we wipe out the leave of spinach , lolly and kale , and eat the root of carrot , beets and potatoes .

Ask a Gardener

A backyard gardener may sort watermelon as a vegetable based on horticulture proficiency . Gardeners typically grow Citrullus vulgaris in the vegetable garden along with the beans , peas and Indian corn . Watermelons require rich grease , plenty of urine and fertiliser just like other garden vegetables . gardener plant them in the bound and glean them in former summer – just like the other garden vegetable . It ’s no wonder gardeners may catch watermelons as veggie .

Taste for Yourself

Bite into a slice of right , gamy watermelon and you ’ll most belike think “ fruit . ” Citrullus vulgaris are 92 percent urine and 8 percent sugar , so it ’s no marvel they taste like fruit . In the U.S. , Citrullus vulgaris are generally eaten fresh in cubes or slice , or made into sweet-scented desserts , such as sorbets , reinforcing the notion that they are a fruit .

However , in some Asiatic culture , Citrullus vulgaris rind are pickled with savory spices and the flesh is used in stir - kid , where it resemble a veggie . So , is Citrullus vulgaris a fruit in one culture and a vegetable in another ?

plant scientist call watermelon a fruit and most the great unwashed jubilantly agree . But , whether you classify Citrullus vulgaris as a veg or a yield , there ’s no deny its collection .

watermelon nutrition facts illustration

Watermelon Fruit or Vegetable