Melothria pendula aka Creeping Cucumber

Melothria pendula is a slim vine that lives for years. It belongs to the cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae. Its names include creeping cucumber and Guadeloupe cucumber. It is native from the central and eastern United States through tropical America. North Carolina State lists a wider range, from Pennsylvania to Argentina. People brought it to China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Kew places it in the subtropical biome, a warm climate zone.

The vine climbs with tendrils or sprawls over nearby plants. It grows fast and spreads, with a slim, trailing form. Green leaves grow in turn along the stems, in an alternate pattern. Each leaf has three to five lobes, much like ivy. Tendrils grow next to the leaves and help it climb. The leaves are deciduous, which means they fall off. The stems have no scent. The sources give no height or spread for a full-grown plant.

Small yellow flowers bloom from April through October. Each grows alone where a leaf joins the stem. A long stalk holds each bloom. The bloom has five lobes and a saucer shape. Each flower spans no more than a quarter-inch. Berries hang from stalks and look like tiny watermelons. They are oval and about an inch long. Green fruit turns black as it ripens. The seeds inside are white. Fruit forms in summer and fall, keeping the vine of interest longer.

In gardens, this vine needs full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in loam and soil rich in organic matter. It suits acid to neutral soil. Give it steady water to help it grow. It can still cope with dry spells. North Carolina State lists USDA hardiness zones 8a through 11b. The vine needs little care. It suits native gardens and gardens where plants spread on their own. The source also lists woods and food gardens as uses. Grow new plants from seeds or stem cuttings. Its spread can make it weedy. Powdery mildew can harm it.

Take care with food use: fruit safety changes as it ripens. North Carolina State says people can eat pale green, unripe berries raw. Yet berries can have a strong laxative effect, making stools pass. Black, ripe fruit poses the clearest risk. It can cause diarrhea. The source rates the level of poisoning as low. It lists fruits and seeds as poisonous parts. It reports no contact dermatitis, a skin rash from touch. It does not name the toxic substance. Records also note use as medicine but name no conditions treated. They do not show a safe treatment or dose.