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Cressler, Alan

Medeola virginiana

Medeola virginiana L.

Indian Cucumber, Indian Cucumber-root

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: MEVI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Several nodding, yellowish-green flowers emerge from the center of a whorl of 3 leaves at the top of a slender, woolly, unbranched stem, on stalks that sometimes bend down below the leaves.

The root, 2-3" (5-7.5 cm) long and 1/2-1" (1.3-2.5 cm) wide is white, has a brittle texture, and reputedly tastes and smells somewhat like a cucumber. It was used by Indians for food, but digging it for such purposes today is not recommended because the plant is scarce. Birds are attracted to the fruit. At the time the berries turn bluish-purple, the cluster of leaves below them turns red at the lower half.

From the Image Gallery

22 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Purple, Blue

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia; south to Florida; west to Alabama and Louisiana; north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Moist woodlands.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Loam, Sand

Benefit

Use Food: The root tastes and smells somewhat like a cucumber. It was reportedly used by First Nations people for food, but digging it for such purposes today is not recommended because the plant is scarce. (Niering)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				FAC			FACU	FACU

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Medeola virginiana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Medeola virginiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Medeola virginiana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2026-08-05
Research By: TWC Staff

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