August 3 marks a special day for fruit lovers everywhere—National Watermelon Day! This day is dedicated to the juicy, sweet, and hydrating fruit that embodies the essence of summer

This vine-like flowering plant originated from southern Africa. While the word watermelon refers to both the fruit and the plant to botanists, the plant is a pepo. The pepo is a berry with a thick rind and fleshy center. Interestingly, pepos develop from an inferior ovary. They are also characteristic of the Cucurbitaceae, a scientific term for the gourd family.