Cucumis dipsaceus aka Teasel Gourd

Cucumis dipsaceus is an annual vine in the cucumber family. Its common names include teasel gourd and Arabian cucumber. It comes from tropical Africa, with records also from Yemen. Useful Tropical Plants lists a range across eastern Africa. It grows in dry woodland, bushland, grassland, and cultivated ground. People gather wild plants for food and local medicine. Some also grow it as a crop. It has spread beyond its native range, including Texas and Hawaii.

The vine grows fast and has a coarse look. NC State gives a height of 6–10 feet [1.83–3.05 metres]. Useful Tropical Plants describes stems reaching about 6.6 feet [2 metres]. Weak stems trail across soil or climb nearby plants. Tendrils also let the vine grip a trellis. The green stems have four sides and a hairy surface. Green leaves grow one at a time along the stems. Each leaf has three lobes and a heart-shaped base. Teeth line the edges, and hairs cover both leaf surfaces. The leaves can feel prickly.

Yellow, tube-shaped flowers grow on the same plant as separate sexes. NC State records bloom from September to November. Male flowers are smaller than the female flowers. Bees and other insects pollinate them. The fruit is a berry with an oval to rounded shape. Soft spines or bristles cover its skin. Fruit starts green, then turns yellow as it ripens. Each fruit holds many seeds. NC State records fruit from November to January. Its listed fruit length is about one to three inches.

Grow this warm-season vine in full sun and well-drained soil. NC State recommends a dry site and soil rich in organic matter. It lists neutral soil as suitable. The plant suits an edible garden and grows from seed. Its climbing habit lets it use nearby supports. Yet its spread can become a problem beyond the garden. Both main growing sources report weed concerns in tropical regions. Useful Tropical Plants calls it invasive in some places. NC State reports no major problems, but links several cucurbit diseases. These include downy mildew, powdery mildew, anthracnose, and gummy stem blight. It also points to insect pests of cucurbits.

People eat the fruit, seeds, tender leaves, and young shoots. Seeds are cooked, and leaves and shoots serve as cooked greens. Traditional dishes add coconut milk or groundnut paste. Dried leaves can also become powder for later cooking. The fruit serves as livestock feed and has traditional medicinal uses. Reports include pain relief and wound dressings from leaves and roots. These uses describe local practice, rather than proven treatments. ASPCA lists this species as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards.