Herbs, scandent, annual, slender, setose. Petiole very short, subglabrous; leaf blade usually 3-7-lobed, base cordate. Tendrils simple. Plants monoecious; flowers small, male flowers fascicled; female flowers usually solitary or in a few-flowered fascicle in same axil as male flowers. Male flowers: calyx campanulate; segments 5, subulate; corolla rotate; segments 5; stamens 3, free, inserted on calyx tube; filaments short; anthers oblong, two 2-celled, one 1-celled; anther cells erect; connective slightly produced; rudimentary ovary glandular. Female flowers: calyx and corolla as in male flowers; staminodes absent or very small; ovary ovoid, hispid; style terete; stigma 2- or 3-lobed, ovules few, horizontal. Berry oblong or globose, small, indehiscent. Seeds horizontal, ovate, compressed, both surfaces scabrous or smooth, marginate.

Renner et al. (BMC Evol. Biol. 7: 58. 2007; doi:10.1186/1471-2148-7-58) presented molecular evidence to show that Mukia is an ingroup of Cucumis.

Three species: tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, Australia; two species in China.

(Authors: Lu Anmin (路安民 Lu An-ming); Charles Jeffrey)