Melons originated in Africa and have been cultivated in the Middle East and Europe since prebiblical times. They were introduced to the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1494. The term “melon” refers to members of the species Cucumis melo, which sometimes are referred to as muskmelons, cantaloupes, or winter melons. The term does not include other species such as watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) or jelly melon (Cucumis metuliferus).
Charles Naudin, a French botanist, determined in the mid-nineteenth century that various melons previously considered to be different species easily can be crossed and therefore all belong to the same species. He classified them into different groups, including the group commonly called cantaloupe in the United States and the group inodorus. Cantaloupes have a netted rind and a separation layer on the stem that causes an abscission or the natural separation of the fruit from the vine when it is mature. Melons of the inodorus group have a smooth rind and lack a separation layer for abscission. Cantaloupe varieties are about twice as popular with growers and consumers as those of the inodorus group.
