Exploding Cucumber
11 days ago
- #edible-plants
- #cucurbitaceae
- #botany
- Cyclanthera brachystachya, also known as the exploding cucumber, is a herbaceous vine in the Cucurbitaceae family.
- It is native to regions from Guatemala south to Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.
- The plant is an annual, growing up to 3 meters long, with hairless stems and lobed leaves.
- Its unusual fruit explodes when ripe to disperse seeds, which are 7–9 mm wide.
- The plant is monoecious, producing both male and female flowers in mid-summer.
- It is propagated by seeds and prefers warm to hot climates with regular watering.
- The fruit can be eaten raw when small (in salads) or cooked when mature.
- It is often grown for curiosity value but is also edible.