Wild Cucumber

Common name: Wild Cucumber (Balsam Apple)

Scientific name: Echinocystis lobata

Dimensions:
  Flower: 3/8-1/2" (9-12 mm) wide
  Plant height: Vine up to 9' (3 m) long

Blooming period: July-September

Habitat: Moist ground and thickets

Description: Numerous greenish-white flowers in erect branched clusters (male flowers) 12-15"' (30-37.5 cm) long; and solitary or small clusters growing separately from same axils (female); 6 petals. Leaves 3-4" (7.5-10 cm) long, long-stalked, maple- shaped, with 3-7 sharp triangular lobes. Fruit a soft-spiny green bladder about 2" (5 cm) long. Although the fruit resembles a cucumber, it is inedible. Cucumber family. (August 3)