Wild Cucumber
Echinocystis lobata

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

Echinocystis lobata is a ANNUAL growing to 8 m (26ft 3in) at a fast rate. It is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from July to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 8

Where it is found

Rich soils by streams. Thickets.

Eastern N. America - Saskatchewan and southwards.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The pulverized root is used as a poultice for headaches. A very bitter tea brewed from the roots is analgesic and is also used as a love potion. It is used as a bitter tonic for alleviating stomach troubles, kidney ailments, rheumatism, chills, fevers etc.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 0

The seeds have been used as beads.

Beads: Used as necklaces etc.

How it is grown

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained rich soil with abundant moisture. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse, placing 2 - 3 seeds in each pot. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 2 weeks at 20°c. Thin the seedlings to the best plant in each pot, grow them on fast and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection, such as a cloche, until they are growing away well.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Sicyos lobata.