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Melothria pendula

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by MadBotanist (talk | contribs) at 22:27, 25 September 2017 (Added Toxicity.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Melothria pendula, also known as the Creeping Cucumber and the Guadeloupe Cucumber is a plant in the Cucurbiteae subfamily. 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]

Toxicity

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



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.