Echinocystis lobata aka Prickly Cucumber

Echinocystis lobata, or wild cucumber, climbs and lives for one season. It is part of Cucurbitaceae, the cucumber family. Its native range spans Canada and parts of the United States. These parts lie in the west-central and eastern states. It grows in temperate regions, where the climate is mild. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. In the wild, it grows in thickets and rich streamside soil.

This fast-growing plant can reach 26 feet [8 metres]. It grips supports with tendrils as it climbs. It completes all its growth within a single season. Plants for a Future lists leaves from May to October. The sources give no more facts about leaf shape. Nor do they give more facts about the stems.

The plant flowers from July to September. Each plant has male flowers and separate female flowers. Insects carry pollen between the flowers. The species is self-fertile. This means one plant can supply both sexes of flower. The accounts do not state the colour of the flowers. They do not describe the shape of the fruit. People have used the seeds as beads. This is its recorded use apart from food.

Give it a sunny site with rich soil that drains well. It needs plenty of moisture and cannot grow in shade. It can also grow in plain garden soil. Sand, loam and clay suit it if they drain well. Soil can be slightly acid, neutral or slightly alkaline. Plants for a Future lists garden beds as a setting. Give its tendrils support so the plant can climb. Frost can harm it. The evidence gives no hardiness zone.

Sow seeds in rich compost in a greenhouse in early spring. Put two or three seeds in each pot. Then keep the strongest seedling. Seeds tend to sprout within one to two weeks at 20°C. Plant out after the last expected frost. Young plants may need cover until they take hold. Plants for a Future warns it could become a weed. It does not say how bad this could be. The evidence names no pests or diseases. It lists no edible uses and gives an edibility score of zero. It reports no known hazards. This does not mean it is safe to eat. It also notes past use of root preparations for pain and other ailments. These records do not prove that such treatments work or are safe.