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