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How the poisonous squirting cucumber got its name
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squirting cucumber
squirting cucumber Squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium).

squirting cucumber

plant
Also known as: Ecballium elaterium
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History

squirting cucumber, (Ecballium elaterium), trailing herbaceous plant in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). The plant is native to the Mediterranean region but has been introduced to other areas as a garden curiosity for its distinctive explosive fruits. Squirting cucumber contains poisonous cucurbitacins, and all parts of the plant can be fatal if ingested.

How the poisonous squirting cucumber got its name
How the poisonous squirting cucumber got its nameLearn about the unusual seed dispersal of the squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium).
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The hairy, rough, thick-stemmed plant may spread out to about 60 cm (about 24 inches) and has yellow bell-shaped flowers. The long-stalked bluish green fruits are about 4–5 cm (1.6–2 inches) long. Upon reaching maturity, the fruits explosively eject their brown seeds as they detach from the stem; the seeds may travel 3 to 6 metres (about 10 to 20 feet) from the plant.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.