Ecballium Elaterium (Squirting Cucumber)

Description

Its name alone is a mouthful. But it is definitely NOT edible. However, your curious friends will have quite a shock when they touch the small plum-shaped fruits on the amazing and aptly named "Squirting-Cucumber". Yellow flowers on radiating stems produce intriguing hanging fruits. Unwary inspection triggers the incredible seed distribution method. The swollen fruit breaks off and shoots downwards (remember Newton's Laws of Reaction) propelled by a high speed jet of seeds and water which shoots upwards. Ouch! Absolutely amazing, and never fails to impress. A relative of the edible cucumbers, but under NO CIRCUMSTANCES eat it. Very few seeds collected as they disappear all over the place!

Sowing Advice

For best results, sow seeds in good light at any time onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. We recommend germinating at 15 to 20 degrees C. Seeds should ideally germinate in between 2 and 6 weeks although they make take considerably longer. Pot on seedlings before finally planting out into a container or a well-drained spot.

Key Facts