Bur cucumber
Sicyos polyacanthus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A climbing herb. It is a pumpkin family plant. It grows each year from seeds. It is a climber. It can be 4-10 m long. The male and female flowers are separate on the same plant. The fruit are 1 cm long with one large seed.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland and wooded grassland. It grows between 950-1,550 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Central Africa, Central America, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Panama, Paraguay, South America (country/location of origin), Tanzania, Uruguay
How it is used for food
The fruit is a strong purgative. The sap of the plant irritates the skin. They should not be eaten without special processing. A starch is extracted from the plant.
Edible parts
Fruit, caution
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Po-de-mico, Porongo bravo, Tupe, Tupulo, Tupulo del monte