WILD CUCUMBER Echinocystis lobata
Echinocystis is an annual, sprawling plant that is native to North America. Vines reach 15-20 feet long, are self supporting, and form masses of beautiful white flowers.
Echinocystis lobata is native to North America, an annual vine that produces stems that can be as long as 8 m (26 ft) and which climb, with the help of coiling, branched tendrils, over shrubs and fences or trail across the ground. The flowers are monoecious, with separate male and female blooms on the same plant. The fruit is a prickly, inflated capsule up to 5 cm (2 in) long with two pores and four seeds. It resembles a tiny spiny water melon, persists all winter and then opens at the bottom, liberating the seeds. The spines can be sharp, caution needed.
The native range across North America includes forty U.S. states (excluding Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska; and most of the far Southeastern states); and nine Canadian provinces.
This plant and fruit are not edible.
Seeds per pack: 3
Germination: Soak seeds for about 6 hours, and then plant just under the surface of the soil. Place pot in a cold (but not freezing) location for 4-6 weeks, and then bring into warmth. Keep moist during germination.
