Retired Griffith farmer shocked to find tropical African fruit in backyard

Marlene Butler, 74, noticed a strange vine sprouting in her garden around mid-December last year. That vine has produced extremely spiky yellowy green fruit that could easily double as dangerous weapons. 

The Area News food critic Wendy Sweeney was the only person brave enough to try it. 

Not recognising the fruit, Mrs Butler took them to the experts at Broome’s Fruit and Vegetables, who identified the fruit at a horned melon, AKA kiwano or African cucumber. 

The fruit is native to Africa, and grown in tropical climates, including Gympie in Queensland. Griffith’s hot summer enabled the fruit to thrive in Ms Butler’s backyard.  When mature it is known to have a lime, passionfruit and banana flavour.

Ms Butler said birds may have dropped the seeds, or it could have come from Queensland sugar cane mulch she used in her garden last year. 

“I called it the horny fruit,” Ms Butler said. 

The Area News