Indian cucumber, Indian cucumber root
Medeola virginiana

Family: Liliaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It is in the lily family. It keeps growing from year to year. The rhizomes are 3-8 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are thick and white. The stems are 20-90 cm tall. The young stems are hairy. There are 5-10 leaves in a ring in the middle and another ring at the top. The lower leaves are simple and widest near the tip. They are 10 cm long. The smaller upper leaves are widest near the base. The flowers are in clusters at the tip of the stem. There are 3-9 flowers in a cluster. The petals are pale green. The fruit are small berries that are dark blue. They are 5-10 mm across.

Also put in the family Trilliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in swamps and along the edges of streams and lakes. It is best in rich soil. It suits hardiness zones 3-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

The white rhizomes are crisp and succulent and have a taste like cucumber. They can be eaten raw or boiled and served with butter or vinegar. They can be made into dill pickles.

Edible parts

Root, rhizome

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or division of the tubers.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Gyromia acuminata Raf.; Gyromia cuneata Raf.; Gyromia virginica (Christm.) Nutt.; Gyromia virginica var. picta Nutt.; Medeola verticillifolia Stokes; Medeola virginica Christm.;