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Hedgehog Gourd Cucumis dipsaceus

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cucumis africanus
Phonetic Spelling
KOO-koo-mis dip-SAK-ee-us
Description

Arabian Cucumber is an annual warm-season vegetable, climbing vine, with yellow flowers and yellow fruit native to tropical Africa. It has been introduced and grown in Texas and Hawaii, but is not generally grown in other states. It scribbles over the ground or uses tendrils to climb trellises or over other plants. 

As the fruits of the plant mature, they change from green to yellow and contain many seeds.The plant is normally found in the wild, but has been domesticated. In addition to the fruit harvested for consumption, the young shoots and leaves of the plant are traditionally cooked with groundnut paste and coconut milk. The plant grows best in full sun, in well-drained soil, and prefers a dry site.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Can be weedy and has become problematic in some tropical areas of the world including Mexico and South America.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common cucumis diseases as well as a factsheet on common insect pests and other problems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#climbing vines#edible fruits#annual vegetable#vine#warm season vegetable#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#climbing vines#edible fruits#annual vegetable#vine#warm season vegetable#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical annual#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cucumis
    Species:
    dipsaceus
    Family:
    Cucurbitaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Fruits are used for fodder, medicinally as an analgesic, and human consumption.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central Africa
    Distribution:
    tropical Africa, Texas, Hawaii, Northern Mexico, North Western South America.
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
    Edibility:
    Fruits, seeds and young leaves and shoots are all edible.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Vegetable
    Vine
    Warm Season Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Creeping
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Hairs cover the oblong fruit giving the species the nickname “hedgehog cucumber”. Fruits appear in November to January. They start out green and turn yellow when mature and contain many seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are monoecious and unisexual with each plant having separate male and female flowers. The male flowers range from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch and have three stamens. Female flowers range from 3/4 to 1 inch and have three-lobed stigmas. Blooms September to November.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The heart-shaped leaves are trilobed and notched at the base. The leaves grow 3/4- 3 inches long and 1-3.5 inches wide with hairs covering both sides of the leaf surfaces. The margins are toothed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems grow to 6 feet or more with a climbing habit. Quadrangular shaped with hairs and weak.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Problems:
    Weedy