Cucumis is a genus of 32 species, indigenous mainly to Africa, also Asia, Australia and some islands in the Pacific. It includes two major commercial vegetable crops: Cucumus sativus which includes cucumbers from Asia and Cucumis melo which includes melons from Africa and Australasia, and two minor ones: the West Indian gherkin, Cucumis anguria and the Kiwano, Cucumis metuliferus. These last two species became cultivated crops outside their native Africa. The species name africanus refers to the natural distribution area of this plant. The genus name Cucumis is the Latin name for the cucumber which was already cultivated in Ancient Egypt.

Cucumis meeusei, synonymously known as Cucumis ficifolius and commonly known as Rough-leaved Cucumis in English or Skurweblaar-komkommer in Afrikaans, is a monoecious herbaceous perennial ground cover with a woody rootstock that lacks tubers. This deciduous plant bears solitary yellow flowers in summer which are followed by inedible above ground striking deep yellow fruits which are covered in short horns. It prefers full sun to part shade to grow best. Ideal for floristry and decoration.