Creeping cucumber
Melothria pendula

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family herb. It is a vine. The leaves are almost heart shaped and have 5 angles or lobes. They are 3-7 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The fruit are smooth and black. They are 1 cm long. They have small white seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antilles, Asia, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, North America, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Taiwan, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are pickled when green. They are eaten when ripe.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ano ta'pe, Bebo kinto, Chilacayotito, Chimu shili, Chinchinkas, Guadeloupe cucumber, Mina na, Mini pepininho, Pepiniculo, Pepinillo cimarron, Pepino-do-mato, Remedyu mishmu tape, Sandia de raton, Sandia montes, Sandia silvestre, Sandiatulub, Sandi-ita, Xtuulub

Synonyms

Bryonia convolvulifolia Schltdl.; Cucumis glaber Walter Melothria costensis C. Jeffrey; Melothria fluminensis Gardner; and others