Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium elaterium)

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Evert Helsinki, Finland(Zone 4b) Jan 02, 2003

Helsinki Botanical - 2.1.2003

Common name: Squirting Cucumber
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Ecballium
Species elaterium

Plant Link: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/54549/

Thumbnail by Evert
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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Jan 02, 2003

Can anyone confirm (or set straight) the synonyms for this plant? In addition to Momordica elaterium, I found references to Ecballium agreste, Momordica agreste, and Elaterium agreste. Or is this a different species?

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gardenwife Newark, OH(Zone 5b) Jan 02, 2003

And can someone put notes in as to why it's called the squirting cucumber? That title sure got my attention - sounds like it's crossed with a grapefruit! ;) You know how grapefruits squirt you in the eye when you plunge a spoon into them!

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Jan 02, 2003

Kim, both the generic and specific names refer to the way the seeds are expelled from the ripe fruit. Additionally, I found that elaterium has a double entendre, in that the extract is a violent purgative. Eater beware!

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Floridian Lutz, FL(Zone 9b) Jan 02, 2003

what a surprise this must be the first time you see it happen!!
Fruits look like small cucumbers, green, oblong and bristly, and 2-3 inches long. The fruit forms on the end of longs stalks. When ripe, they explode suddenly at the point of attachment, squirting the seeds out in a thick, sticky (mucilaginous) fluid.

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Floridian Lutz, FL(Zone 9b) Jan 02, 2003

Re: synonyms http://pppis.fao.org/GPPIS.exe$ShowHost?Host=5591

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Jan 02, 2003

Thanks, Evert. I hadn't clicked on that particular link when I was scanning through my search results. I noticed they listed Ecbaltium as a synonym, but I have my doubts on it; in fact, I emailed them to ask them to take a second look at it, as I think it's a misspelling.

Stacy, that sounds just plain icky to watch, lolol. Although my kids (especially the boys) would probably think it was pretty funny.

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Evert Helsinki, Finland(Zone 4b) Jan 02, 2003

I don't know about the synonymes.. always known it as Ecballium elaterium. In summer, it's a great looking big, but not very pretty vining bush. Now it is just a small one, maybe I'll get a pic when it starts to bloom and make the "squirting cucumbers" in Spring ;)

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MikeS Jan 03, 2003

I grow something somewhat similar in central Alberta commonly known as a Wild Cucumber. The inedible fruit is spiny and about the size and shape of a small kiwifruit. The seeds, about the size and colour of watermelon seeds, are expelled several feet when the fruit ripens in Sept.
I interplant with pole beans or other vines. The lacey tendrils will reach several feet and are visually attractive as are the small star-shaped white flowers.
Have never seen a botanical reference.

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Evert Helsinki, Finland(Zone 4b) Jan 03, 2003

Echinocystis lobata..?

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