'Exploding melons' from Xifeng to be marketed

The ripe holboellia latifolia wall burst open. [Photo/WeChat account of Xifeng county]

At the holboellia latifolia wall planting base in Tiantai village, Xifeng county, holboellia latifolia walls are hanging on the branches, with part of their ripe peels having "exploded." The milky white pulp is about to seep out, while a sweet fragrance fills the air.

Despite holboellia latifolia wall's longstanding popularity, it previously could only be picked in wild fields or forests.

Several years ago, Tiantai village established the Xifeng Siji Fengyuan Ecological Agriculture Professional Cooperative and planted more than 20 mu (1.33 hectares) of the fruit.

This year, the village is expected to harvest approximately 1,000 kilograms of the fruit. The planting base has also provided jobs for more than 10 surrounding villagers.

A visitor said that holboellia latifolia wall is rich in nutrition and can be eaten as a fruit, used as a medicinal herb, or be used to make wine. Since the base started planting the fruit, she has come to pick it every year.