Medeola virginiana aka Indian Cucumber

Medeola virginiana is a perennial wildflower called Indian cucumber root. It grows in eastern North America's moist, rich woods. Its range runs from eastern Canada south to Florida. It also occurs in the east-central United States. Woodland sites with acid soil form its native home. Sources also place it near swamps and bogs.

Plants grow 1–2 feet [0.30–0.61 metres] tall in gardens. NC State gives an upper height of 2.5 feet [0.76 metres]. Garden spread reaches about 1.5 feet [0.46 metres]. Each year, a single upright stem grows from a rhizome. The stem has no branches and bears white hairs when young. Flowering plants have two tiers of green leaves. The lower whorl holds five to ten larger leaves. The upper whorl holds three smaller leaves. Their shapes range from oval to lance-shaped. The larger leaves reach about 0.42 feet [0.13 metres] long.

Small yellow-green flowers hang beneath the upper leaf whorl. Their petals and sepals bend back from the flower. Missouri Botanical Garden lists bloom from May through June. NC State gives a wider season, from April through June. Dark blue berries follow on red stalks in autumn. The fruit season runs from September through October. Leaves develop red patches or purple tones as fruit ripens. Both flowers and fruit add interest to shaded plantings. The plant attracts songbirds and small mammals.

Grow it in partial to full shade with moist soil. It also suits wet ground, but NC State calls for good drainage. Loam and sandy soils appear among its listed growing conditions. Missouri Botanical Garden places it in USDA zones 3–8. Suitable sites include woodland gardens and damp native plant beds. It also fits rain gardens, bog gardens, and water margins. Gardeners can use it in groups or as a specimen. Sources describe its upkeep as low. Missouri Botanical Garden reports no serious insect or disease problems.

The crisp rhizome has a sweet taste that recalls cucumber. Sources describe eating it raw, cooked, or in salads. NC State notes that Native Americans used it as food. It discourages harvesting because plants have grown scarce in many regions. The berries are not edible. PFAF records past medicinal uses of roots, leaves, and berries. Those records do not establish safe use as medicine.