Squirting cucumber
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When it comes to seed dispersal, the squirting cucumber knows it’s best to go out with a bang.
The fruits are filled with a thick liquid under high pressure, meaning when they fall from their stems, they explosively propel their seeds across a wide area.
Despite being a cousin to many kitchen favourites, such as cucumber, watermelon and pumpkin, the squirting cucumber is inedible due to the toxic chemicals it contains.
The scientific name Ecballium comes from the Greek word ‘ekballo’, which means to expel, throw or cast out.
Plant description
The squirting cucumber usually grows as a trailing vine along the ground, but can also be found as a bush. The leaves are dark green, loosely triangular or heart-shaped, with uneven edges. The leaves, stems and fruits are all covered in silvery hairs.
The flowers are yellow and small, around 2cm across. If pollinated, the flowers develop into blue-green fruit, oval shaped, around 5cm long. If touched, the fruits burst at the stem, spraying a thick clear liquid along with small black oval seeds at high speed.
Plant uses
Health
In the past, extracts from the squirting cucumber were used in European folk medicine, including as a laxative, as a treatment for swelling, and as an abortifacient. Today, it is not recommended as any kind of treatment as toxins in the plant can cause serious damage to the body.
Did you know?
Due to its seed dispersal prowess, squirting cucumber can spread rapidly, leading to it being classified as an invasive species in many countries.
Where in the world?
Hot dry areas, in fields, farmland and roadsides across the Mediterranean. Also grown in many gardens.
Find it in our gardens
Kew Gardens
A botanic garden in southwest London with the world’s most diverse living plant collection.
