Kingdom Plantae Family Cucurbitaceae Rank Species | Order Cucurbitales Genus Cyclanthera | |
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Similar Cyclanthera brachystachya, Cyclanthera, Cucumis zeyheri, Cucumis myriocarpus, Rytidostylis | ||
Cyclanthera explodens cyklantera strzelaj ca avi
Cyclanthera explodens, the exploding cucumber (but not to be confused with Ecballium elaterium), in the cucurbit or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), is a herbaceous vine usually grown for its curiosity value, but the fruit is also edible.
Contents
- Cyclanthera explodens cyklantera strzelaj ca avi
- cyclanthera explodens by japan weekly gardening tv
- Origin and distribution
- Food uses
- Cultivation
- References
The unusual fruit are bilaterally symmetrical, bulbous and spiny. They explode when ripe as a means of seed dispersal.
cyclanthera explodens by japan weekly gardening tv
Origin and distribution
The plant is endemic from Southern Mexico through Colombia and Ecuador.
Food uses
The fruit can be used raw when small (less than 2 cm) in salads, or cooked when mature (2.5 cm, exploded).
Cultivation
It is propagated by its puzzle piece -shaped seed, and grown in conditions similar to other cucurbits like cucumbers and melons. It prefers warm, hot climates with regular watering. Once established the vine can grow quickly up to 10–15 feet. Although preferably grown over some kind of support, it can also be grown along the ground. The plant produces both male and female flowers on the same plant in mid-summer.