Cucumis metuliferus, commonly called the African horned cucumber, horned melon, spiked melon, jelly melon, kiwano, or cuke-a-saurus is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family, Cucurbitaceae.
What type of cucumber has spikes?
The spiny-fruited vine that we use is called CUCUMIS ANGURIA. Some gardeners refer to it as Spiny Cucumber. Still, it is more often known as West India Gherkin or Bur Gherkin in other parts of the globe because pickles produced from immature regular garden cucumbers are often referred to as “gherkins” in North America.
What is a prickly cucumber called?
The scientific name of the prickly cucumber is Echinocystis lobata, which is Greek for ‘lobed hedgehog bladder’. This is where the girls come in. “Lobed” is for the leaf of the plant. “Bladder” is for all those empty spaces in the loofah-like interior of its fruit.
Are spiny cucumbers edible?
Superficially the fruit resembles a small and rounded cultivated cucumber, but with prickles all over it. The puffy, spherical to oblong, green pods with long, soft spines grow up to two inches long. Despite the common name, the fruits are not edible and can cause burning reactions in some people.
What are the little spikes on a cucumber?
Not all cucumber prickles are alike. Just as they inherit size, shape, color and flavor, every cuke variety inherits its prickles. They’re Mother Nature’s way of protecting the plants from insects or hungry animals. Many modern cukes are bred for minimal prickling; English hothouse cukes have almost none.
What can I do with spiny cucumbers?
If the cucumbers have a lot of spines, remove them by rubbing a cloth or a soft vegetable brush along the length of the fruit. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the cucumber of the vine. Be sure to leave a small, one-inch section of stem attached to the cucumber.
Do you pick cucumbers when they are prickly?
Yes, you can pick cucumbers when they’re prickly. Some varieties have naturally prickly skin. It can help to wear gloves when handling them. Any spikes can be gently rubbed off with a towel or soft brush.
Can you eat bur cucumber?
Edible parts of Bur Cucumber:
They can be cooked as greens. The fruit is said to be edible. Possibly the seed is edible but there is no flesh on the fruit, it is just a bristly skin around the seed. The fruit is about 1cm long and is borne in small clusters.
How do you eat African horned cucumbers?
The simplest way to eat a kiwano melon is to slice it open and spoon the pulp directly from the rind. Some people add a little salt or sugar to enhance its flavor. It may be eaten fresh or cooked. If you’re feeling creative, you can add the pulp to smoothies or use it to top yogurt, granola, or an ice cream sundae.
Are there different types of cucumbers?
There are a number of common cucumber varieties—Armenian, English, lemon, Persian—that you may encounter. Not only will this guide help you identify cucumbers, but you’ll also get a few ideas on how to use them. One of the favorites is commonly found in crisp cucumber salads.
How poisonous is wild cucumber?
The plant contains a bitter substance and all parts of the plant are mildly toxic.
What happens if you eat wild cucumber?
While they may look and smell like garden cucumbers, wild cucumber fruit is not safe to eat. It causes stomach upset, diarrhea, and even burning reactions for some people.
How do you grow horned cucumbers?
Planting African Horned Cucumbers
They like a warm and sunny location but are quite tolerant of light shade as well. They will grow in poorer type soils, but to maximise your harvest plant in good humus-rich soil. Picking the fruit regularly will encourage the growth of more fruit.
Why are cucumbers pointy?
Cucumber plants that are watered inadequately or inconsistently will produce misshapen cucumbers. Remember, too, that plants growing in pots tend to dry out quicker than plants growing in the ground so keep an eye on cucumbers growing in containers to make sure they receive enough water.
Do cucumbers have thorns?
Cucumbers often have prickly spines covering their skin, so you may want to wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands. A vegetable brush will take the spines right off when you wash your cucumbers. Avoid picking your cucumbers when the leaves are wet. This is likely to spread disease.
Can dogs eat cucumbers?
Low in fat and sodium, half a cup of cucumber slices only contains about eight calories, says the American Kennel Club, making them an excellent treat for dogs that need to watch their weight.
What time of day should you pick cucumbers?
in the morning
Cucumbers are not one of those vegetables that ripen when cutting early from the vine. Plan to pick cucumbers early in the morning when the plant vines are cool and damp with dew. When harvesting cucumbers, use a sharp knife or clippers to separate them from the vine.
How many cucumbers do you get per plant?
Depending on who you ask, a healthy cucumber plant can be expected to produce 10 large cukes or 15 small ones within a harvest period of about three weeks.
What does bur cucumber look like?
Bur cucumber is a nonwoody, annual vine with lobed, gourd-family leaves, curly green tendrils, clusters of prickly, green, oval fruits, and 5-lobed, cream-colored flowers.
Is bur cucumber invasive?
While it is not officially categorized as an invasive plant, Bur cucumber is an obnoxious weed for many reasons. It spreads fast and climbs whatever it touches, whether it be tree, fence, shrub or house. It produces many seeds every year, which can live dormant in the soil for several years.
How did Native Americans use wild cucumber?
Native American groups along the California coast had many uses for plants in the same genus as the wild cucumber. Notable uses are in stunning fish and body or face painting using roasted seeds. An interesting use is in the treatment of men’s hair loss.