Watermelon Grace Lee, Helen Phillips, Spencer Robbins ,

& Coco Smith

Abstract Economic Impact

Cultural Impact

Biological Impact

Origins

Evidence shows that watermelon potentially comes from

thousands of years ago. Researchers have found seeds

from this fruit in Egyptian tombs (ie: Pharaoh Tut).

Africans then introduced the watermelon to Levant/Middle

East, India (800 CE), China (1000 CE), and possibly

even to Greece & Rome. Its spread continued on to

Europe, North America, and historians believe that the

Spanish introduced watermelon to the Americas in

1576 on the coast of Florida. By 1650, watermelon had

expanded to the Caribbean region. At the same time,

Amerindians were cultivating watermelon.

Currently, watermelon is one of the top three crops

grown in the United States alongside onions and

head lettuce. The fruit is grown for the fresh market

with Texas, Florida, Georgia, and California being

the top producers. From an average of seed and

seedless watermelon, each acre harvests about 31,800 pounds, making approximately $4,300. In

a larger perspective, 113,000 acres or 40.125 million pounds of watermelon are produced annually . From statistics, it is easy to see that

numbers rise each year and will continue to do so.

Based on the components of watermelon that scientists

have identified in recent years, it is suggested that the

watermelon that was introduced to the New World had the

same biological structure as today. Watermelon, or

Citrullus lanatus, contains high levels of Lycopene, a

carotenoid found in most red-fleshed fruits. As the strongest

known antioxidant, Lycopene protects against chronic

disease by neutralizing harmful free radicals. In recent

studies, Lycopene reduced the risk of prostate cancer and

heart attack. In addition to Lycopene, one cup of

watermelon contains 175 milligrams of potassium, 25%

Daly Value of Vitamin C, 10% Daily Value of Vitamin A,

and 1 gram of fiber. The most prevalent substance,

however, is water, making up 90% of the fruit and therefore

contributing to its heavy weight. While growing, the vines

store water, and release it to the fruit consistently even

during droughts. This environmental adaptation is what

scientists believe allowed it to grow in dry places like Egypt.

Agriculturally, continuous cropping of watermelon leads to

nutrient-depleted soils and autotoxin production. Overall,

the fruit's health benefits and sweet taste keeps it a popular

product in society today.

Watermelon, because of its African origins with

the slave trade, remains a symbol of racism

and is associated with poor southern blacks in

the United States. Over time, it has generalized

itself to people experiencing poverty. During the

Great Depression, it was known as “Depression

Ham” for its consistently low price even

throughout the struggling economic time. The

watermelon also holds musical

influence in country, folk, and blues songs

involving the fruit. Some songs include

“Watermelon on the Vine” by the Skillet Lickers

and “Watermelon Man” by Herbie Hancock.

The Columbian Exchange was an international transfer

of materials, foods, animals, plants, and diseases during

the colonization of the Americas. The topic we

researched was the historical (post-1492) and current

impacts of the watermelon. Despite the fact that the

watermelon has existed for so long, its journey around

the world has been a slow progress. We discovered that

the watermelon has many surprising health benefits and

physical feautres. It also is an excellent example of

evolutionary adaption due to its biological mutation as a

responce to its environment. However simple and

insignifcant the watermelon seems, its scientific,

economic, and cultural importance remains important in

society today.

✰ Mark Twain's favorite fruit was watermelon!

✰ Thomas Jefferson grew watermelon at Monticello!

✰ Over 1200 varieties are grown worldwide!

✰ July is National Watermelon Month!

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