Star cucumber, Angled cucumber
Sicyos australis

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a scrambling herb. The stems can be 4 m long. It climbs with tendrils. The leaves are almost triangular. They can have lobes and are finely toothed. They are 5-8 cm wide. The upper surface is rough to the touch. The flowers are greenish and 5 mm across. Several flowers occur together. The fruit are about 10 mm long. They have soft spines.

There are about 50 Sicyos species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on rocky limestone ground. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Sicyos angulatus auct. non L.; Sicyos fretensis J.D. Hook.;