''Cyclanthera brachystachya'', the exploding cucumber (but not to be confused with ''

Ecballium elaterium ''Ecballium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae containing a single species, ''Ecballium elaterium'', also called the squirting cucumber or exploding cucumber (not the same plant as '' Cyclanthera brachystachya''). Its ...

''), in the cucurbit or gourd family (

Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: *'' Cucurbita'' – squash, pumpkin, zucchini, some gourds *'' La ...

), is a herbaceous

vine A vine ( Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners thems ...

usually grown for its curiosity value, but the fruit is also edible. The unusual fruit are bilaterally symmetrical, bulbous and spiny. They explode when ripe as a means of seed dispersal.

Origin and distribution

The plant is endemic from Southern Mexico through Colombia and Ecuador.

Food uses

The fruit can be used raw when small (less than 2 cm) in salads, or cooked when mature (2.5 cm, exploded).

Cultivation

It is propagated by its puzzle piece -shaped seed, and grown in conditions similar to other cucurbits like cucumbers and melons. It prefers warm, hot climates with regular watering. Once established the vine can grow quickly up to 10–15 feet. Although preferably grown over some kind of support, it can also be grown along the ground. The plant produces both male and female flowers on the same plant in mid-summer.

Photos

File:Cyclanthera_brachystachya_001.JPG File:Cyclanthera_brachystachya_002.JPG File:Cyclanthera_brachystachya_003.JPG File:Cyclanthera_brachystachya_004.JPG Image:Cyclanthera brachystachya Plant.jpg, Plant Image:Cyclanthera brachystachya Fructus.jpg, Fruit Image:Cyclanthera brachystachya Fructus exploded.jpg, exploded fruit Image:Cyclanthera brachystachya Shoot.jpg, Shoot Image:Cyclanthera brachystachya Tendril.jpg, Tendril Image:Cyclanthera brachystachya seeds.jpg, Seeds

References

External links

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q541878, from2=Q18349537 brachystachya Articles containing video clips