Gurania Species, Jungle Cucumber

The guranias, or jungle cucumbers, are a group of between forty to seventy five species of vining New World tropical plants belonging to ...Read Morethe family Cucurbitaceae (melons and squash.)

Guranias are monoecious. They are noted for showy pink, orange, and red compound inflorescences, and are attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds. Many guranias are large-growing vines or woody lianas that flower and fruit high in the tropical treetops. Their often bitter pickle-sized fruits are eaten by bats and birds, and the fruits of some species are used by humans for medicinal purposes.

Some species of gurania are potentially invasive in other tropical areas. Care should always be taken when introducing non-native species to compatible environments.