Wild Cucumber
Echinocystis lobata |
 Other common names:
Balsam Apple, Prickly Cucumber, Wild Balsam Apple
Other scientific names:
Micrampelis lobata, Momordica echinata, Sicyos lobata
French names:
Éhinocystis lobé
Family:
Gourd Family (Cucurbitaceae)
Distinctive features:
Vine. Stubby, cucumber-like fruits (sort of).
Similar species:
•
Canada Moonseed (Menispermum canadense) - woody vine, leaves not as lobed.
•
One-seeded Bur Cucumber (Sicyos angulatus) - smaller fruit, 5-petalled flowers.
Flowers:
Summer; White; 6 parts (petals); Mid to late summer (July-August).
Leaves:
Alternate, Simple
Height:
Vine.
Stem:
Vine.
Fruit/Seeds:
Soft-prickly oval sphere, with hard dry seeds inside. Opens at the bottom when ripe and the seeds then fall out.
Habitat:
Forests, Fields and Open Areas, Thickets; Open forest edges.
Grows in Sun/Shade:
Sun
Books:
Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 356
Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 76
Native/Non-native:
Native
Status:
S-Rank: S5 G-Rank: G5
Common.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: lobata: lobed
Photographs:
90 photographs available, of which 15 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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