The genus name Trochomeria is derived from two Greek words, namely trochos (a wheel) and meris (a part). The connection to the plant is rather obscure; perhaps the long, narrow corolla lobes look like the spokes of a wheel? Trochomeria is an African genus of about eight species; four species occur in all regions of southern Africa , except Lesotho, the Free State and the Western Cape.

The species name macrocarpa, from the Greek makros (long) and karpos (fruit), simply refers to the fairly large fruit. The four species in our area are distinguished mainly according to leaf and stem characters, flower size, and the absence or presence of bracts at the base of the leaf stalks.

The family Cucurbitaceae consists of about 120 genera and 735 species that are cosmopolitan in mostly tropical and subtropical countries. Many species are cultivated and of economic importance as food plants such as cucumber, melon, pumpkin and watermelon. Members of this family are annual or perennial herbs or shrubs (only one species is a tree). The leaves are alternate and variable, and tendrils are almost always present. The flowers are mostly unisexual and white or yellow; they occur on the same plant (monoecious) or on separate plants (dioecious). The fruit often is an indehiscent berry (soft-shelled) or gourd (hard-shelled) with one to many, often flattened seeds. There are about 18 genera and 75 species of this family in southern Africa.