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Echinocystis - (Michx.)Torr.&A.Gray.

Common Name Wild Cucumber
Family Cucurbitaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich soils by streams[43]. Thickets[222].
Range Eastern N. America - Saskatchewan and southwards.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Echinocystis Wild Cucumber


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Echinocystis Wild Cucumber

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Echinocystis is a ANNUAL growing to 8 m (26ft 3in) at a fast rate.
It is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from July to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Sicyos lobata.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The pulverized root is used as a poultice for headaches[61, 222]. A very bitter tea brewed from the roots is analgesic and is also used as a love potion[61, 207, 222]. It is used as a bitter tonic for alleviating stomach troubles, kidney ailments, rheumatism, chills, fevers etc[61, 222, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The seeds have been used as beads[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained rich soil with abundant moisture[1, 175]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[175]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils[219].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse, placing 2 - 3 seeds in each pot. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 2 weeks at 20°c. Thin the seedlings to the best plant in each pot, grow them on fast and plant them out after the last expected frosts[175]. Give the plants some protection, such as a cloche, until they are growing away well.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Echinocystis lobataWild CucumberAnnual8.0 0-0 FLMHNM011

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Michx.)Torr.&A.Gray.

Botanical References

43235

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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