Javan cucumber

The Javan cucumber, also known as the gherkin (Cucumis anguria), is a creeping plant belonging to the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It is cultivated primarily for pickling. The plant has a rough, trailing stem with hairy, lobed leaves and branched tendrils. Its yellow flowers produce a type of berry called a pepo. Cucumbers, in general, have low nutritional value but are popular in salads and relishes. They require significant heat and can develop bitterness if not watered consistently. The plant is also susceptible to various bacterial and fungal diseases. The term "Jamaica cucumber" is also used to refer to a gherkin.12