The rind is striped or solid and ranges in color from gray-green to dark green. The flesh of ripe watermelons is white, greenish-white, yellow, orange, pink, or red. Their shape varies from round to oblong. They are eaten fresh, often in salads or as a dessert. The rind is sometimes pickled and used to make relish.
Watermelons grow on vines.
As a watermelon ripens, the rind color becomes dull and the top of the fruit flattens slightly. A ripe watermelon makes a hollow thud when thumped. The watermelon plant probably originated in Africa. Watermelons are known to have been grown in New England as early as 1629. Today, Turkey and China are the world's leading producers of watermelons.