Citrullus lanatus
AKA "Gypsy" and "Augusta Rattesnake" watermelon
Georgia Rattlesnake is said to have been developed in the 1830s.
It has been an old Southern favorite for a long time.
If you think about it, any variety that has been kept around for over 170 years has to been pretty darn good.
Crisp, sweet and juicy. A real favorite with the kids.
The skin is light green with irregularly mottled with dark green stripes that someone long ago thought looked like a "rattler". I think we were drinking too much watermelon wine, but hey it is cool looking.
Georgia Rattlesnake averages 25-50 pounds.
The flesh is bright scarlet, crisp and very sweet.
Tough skin makes it a good shipper or picnic melon.
Strong grower.