Scientific Name: Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo var. flexuosus (L.) Naudin

Arabic name(s): القِثَّاء

English name(s): Snake cucumber/ hairy cucumber

Growth form: Snake cucumber is an annual prostrate plant.

Order: Cucurbitales

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Genus: Cucumis L.

Species: Cucumis melo L.

Citation in the Quran:

Qithaa is mentioned one time in the Holy Qur’an Allah the Most Sublime Says; “And remember ye said: “O Moses! we cannot endure one kind of food (always); so beseech thy Lord for us to produce for us of what the earth groweth, -its pot-herbs, and cucumbers, Its garlic, lentils, and onions.” He said: “Will ye exchange the better for the worse? Go ye down to any town, and ye shall find what ye want!” They were covered with humiliation and misery; they drew on themselves the wrath of Allah. This because they went on rejecting the Signs of Allah and slaying His Messengers without just cause. This because they rebelled and went on transgressing”. Surat Al-Baqara, verse# 61

Citation in the Hadit:

‘Abdullah b. Ja’far reported: I saw Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) eating cucumber with fresh dates. Sahih Muslim, book of drinks.

Habitat & Distribution:

The origin of the snake cucumbers “Qithaa” is belived to be Egypt and it is be distributed by human populations.