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 seeds fall out. Habitat:
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:
Common
S-Rank: S5 G-Rank: G5 Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: lobata: lobed Photographs:
75 photographs available, of which 15 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
