Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula)

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Aug 08, 2004

Creeping Cucumber
Melothria pendula

Midsummer, found this tangled around the base of a privacy fence.

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Fran99 Spartanburg, SC Aug 27, 2004

Is it edible?

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Aug 27, 2004

As I understand it, they're poisonous. Keep in mind these are tiny - about the size of a big jelly bean ;o)

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Fran99 Spartanburg, SC Aug 28, 2004

Well, who says they are poisonous? They are in the curcurbit family, like melons, pumpkins, etc. Might be tasty. They look cute - jelly bean cukes. The seeds inside are probably big. Still would like to have one. Let me know if anyone has tried to eat them;o)

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Aug 28, 2004

Try 'em at your own risk:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Melotpe.htm
http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H381.htm

Another site indicated the fruit was a "very drastic purgative"

Keep in mind that just because a plant is related to edible species doesn't make it edible. Several members of the Solanaceae (potato, tomato, pepper) family are poisonous, or parts of the plant are poisonous.

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Fran99 Spartanburg, SC Aug 29, 2004

You're right. Thanks for the links. I guess I'd better give up foraging in the yard.;)

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