Acanthosicyos

Acanthosicyos is a genus of thorny shrubs of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae, subfamily Cucurbitoideae. The genus name comes from Ancient Greek ἄκανθα (ákantha), meaning "thorn", and σικύος (sikúos), meaning "cucumber, gourd".

==Species== Endemic to the Namib Desert in Africa, this genus is represented by two known species including Acanthosicyos horridus, the nara melon, an important food plant in its native range. Both species are dioecious.