Native Plants
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Echinocystis lobata
Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. & A. Gray
Wild Cucumber
Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber Family)
Synonym(s): Micrampelis lobata, Sicyos lobata
USDA Symbol: eclo
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A climbing vine with an angular stem and small, greenish-white flowers. The flower stalks and 3-forked tendrils arise in leaf axils.
As the common name suggests, the fruit is like a cucumber, but inedible. A somewhat similar vine, the Star Cucumber (Sicyos angulatus), also has maple-like leaves, but 5-petaled flowers and 1-seeded fruits in clusters of 10, each about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) long.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Pepo
Fruit: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AR , AZ , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SD , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: MB , NB , SK
Native Distribution: Saskatchewan to New Brunswick; south to Florida; west to Texas; but very rare in the Southeast.
Native Habitat: Moist woods, stream banks.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACU | FAC | FAC | FACW | FACW | FACU |
Additional resources
USDA: Find Echinocystis lobata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Echinocystis lobata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Echinocystis lobata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2018-08-30Research By: TWC Staff