Melothria pendula

Melothria pendula, also known as the creeping cucumber or the Guadeloupe cucumber, is a plant in the Cucurbiteae tribe. The plant is especially prominent in southeast regions of the United States. While a native plant, its fast-spreading nature makes it potentially weedy. The plant resembles the cultivated cucumber, possessing miniature yellow flowers, similar leaf shape, same leaf patterns, as well as similar growth patterns. The unripe berries strongly resemble minuscule watermelons.[1][2]

Melothria pendula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Melothria
Species:
M. pendula
Binomial name
Melothria pendula
Melothria pendula fruit

Etymology

The genus name Melothria is from Ancient Greek μηλοθρων : mēlothrōn 'kind of white grape' in reference to small grapevine fruits born by the genus. The specific name pendula means 'hanging'.

Toxicity

The ripe berries, which are black, have powerful laxative qualities when consumed. The root, vines, leaves, and flowers have unknown toxicity.[3]

Edibility

The berries, when unripe and light green can be eaten raw. Dogs are known to eat the leaves without any apparent side effects.[4]

Ecology

The larvae of Hypercompe cunigunda have been recorded feeding on this plant.

References
  1. "Creeping Cucumber". www.foragingtexas.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  2. "US Wildflower - Creeping Cucumber, Guadeloupe Cucumber, Squirting Cucumber - Melothria pendula". uswildflowers.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  3. "Melothria pendula". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  4. "Creeping Cucumber". www.foragingtexas.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
Melothria pendula
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