A Dichotomous Key for the Identification of Species of Cucurbitaceae in Akwa Ibom State.

1a. Petal colour white ...............................................................................................................................................................................2

1b. Petal colour yellow .............................................................................................................................................................................5

2a. Leaf texture scabrid ............................................................................................................................................................................3

2b. Leaf texture smooth............................................................................................................................................................................4

3a. Fruit shape spherical........................................................................................................................................... Lagenaria sphaerica

3b. Fruit shape not spherical...................................................................................................................................... Lagenaria siceraria

4a. Leaf type compound .......................................................................................................................................... Telfairia occidentalis

4b. Leaf type simple ...................................................................................................................................... Trichosanthes cucumerina

5a. Leaf apex acute...................................................................................................................................................................................6

5b. Leaf apex acuminate...........................................................................................................................................................................9

6a. Tendrils unbranched .................................................................................................................................................. Cucumis sativus

6b. Tendrils branched ...............................................................................................................................................................................7

7a. Flowers solitary ..................................................................................................................................................................................8

7b. Flowers not solitary .................................................................................................................................................. Luffa aegyptiaca

8a. Fruit smooth........................................................................................................................................................... Cucurbita maxima

8b. Fruit pubescent ......................................................................................................................................................... Siraitia africana

9a. Leaf glabrous.................................................................................................................................................... Mormodica charantia

9b. Leaf pubescent..................................................................................................................................................................................10

10a. Fruit shape spherical................................................................................................................................................. Citrullus lanatus

10b. Fruit shape cylindrical ................................................................................................................................ Citrullus mucosospermus