Article Nº 2334 Plant Vol. II · p. 673
Melon (Cucumis Melo)
Original title: Melão (Cucumis Melo)
Melon, chiefly grown in Porto Santo, once abundant in Madeira and possibly the origin of the name Ribeira dos Melões.
It is chiefly on the island of Porto Santo (‘holy harbour’) that this member of the Cucurbitaceae is frequently seen. At the time Manuel Tomás wrote ‘The Island Epic’ (Insulana), melons seem to have been abundant in Madeira, since we find them mentioned among the many fruits the island then produced. It is likely that the Ribeira dos Melões takes its name from the great abundance of melon plants once found on its banks or nearby.
People mentioned
- Manuel Tomás 1585–1665
Places mentioned