PlantHarvester
Cultivar Variety

Watermelon (Shawo Fruit)

Open-Pollinated · Heirloom

RadishRaphanus sativus

Watermelon (Shawo Fruit) is a prized Chinese heirloom daikon radish featuring pale green-and-white globes with brilliant magenta-pink flesh resembling a miniature watermelon.

Variety details

Distinguishing Traits

Also known as Shinrimei or Red Meat radish, this cultivar grows into round, three-inch roots with a dull white-green exterior that hides a stunning starburst of crisp, bright magenta-rose flesh. Its flavor is remarkably sweet, mild, and nutty with minimal peppery heat.

Uses

Thinly mandoline-sliced for vibrant salads, crudités, pickled radishes, and decorative edible garnishes in both Chinese banquet presentations and modern culinary service.

Performance

Best grown as a cool-season or autumn crop; summer sowings mature into sweet, non-woody winter storage roots as night temperatures decline.

Historical Origin

Watermelon radish traces back to northern China, particularly the Shawo agricultural district near Tianjin, where it has been cultivated for centuries as a refreshing, fruit-like winter radish.

Sources

3 sources

Botanical Lineage

Taxonomic Rank
Biological Classification (Taxonomic Ranks)
Other Radish Varieties (5)

General identification, edible-use, and cultivation information only — not medical or safety advice. It may be incomplete or wrong; do not eat or use a plant medicinally, or make growing decisions, based only on this page.