Chicken Cucumber
Cucumis anguria L.
Cucumis anguria, also known as Chicken Cucumber, is a climbing annual vine native to Africa but now naturalized in the New World and cultivated in various regions. It is closely related to the common cucumber (C. sativus) and is commonly grown for its small, edible fruits, which are often used as pickles or in culinary dishes. The plant is known by several common names, including maroon cucumber, West Indian gherkin, maxixe, and burr gherkin.
Description
Cucumis anguria is an annual, climbing herb that typically grows in wooded savannahs and disturbed sites. It is a vigorous vine with tendrils that help it climb and spread. The leaves are lobed and rough, and the flowers are yellow, typical of the Cucurbitaceae family. The fruits are small, often ribbed, and can be either green or maroon when mature, depending on the variety. These fruits are commonly pickled or used fresh in a variety of culinary applications.
Habitat
This species is native to Africa and is commonly found in wooded savannahs and other open habitats. It has also been reported in disturbed areas and is known to thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions. It has been introduced and naturalized in parts of the Caribbean, South America, and other tropical and subtropical regions, where it can be found growing in similar habitats.
Cultivation
Cucumis anguria is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions for its edible fruits. It prefers well-drained soils and full sun, and it can be grown in home gardens as well as on a commercial scale. The plant is relatively easy to grow and is often used in traditional and modern agricultural practices. Cultivars are selected for fruit size, color, and flavor, with some varieties specifically bred for pickling.
Uses
The fruits of Cucumis anguria are primarily used as food. They are commonly pickled and sold as gherkins, but they can also be eaten fresh in salads or cooked in various dishes. The plant has also been used in traditional medicine in some regions, although its medicinal properties are not as well-documented as its culinary uses. In addition to its use as a food crop, it can be grown as an ornamental plant in gardens due to its attractive foliage and flowers.
Other common names
West indian gherkinPumpkinChicken Cucumber
Distribution
Atlántico: Finca El Palomar, Bolívar: Hacienda El Ceibal · Antioquia, Atlántico, Bolívar, Cundinamarca, La Guajira, Magdalena, Santander, Sucre, Tolima · BR · Piojó · Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca · YE · SC · CW · AW · AI · Saint Barthelemy · MX · Núcleo Aceites S.A. · Barrancabermeja · SR · AR · AU · GF · MS · Socotra Archipelago · Antioquia, Atlántico, Bolívar, Cundinamarca, La Guajira, Magdalena, Santander, Sucre, Valle · CR · EC · TW · HN · GT · BZ · conterminous 48 United States · Alabama · Angola
Synonyms
Apodanthera scaberrimaCucumis anguria subsp. cubensisCucumis anguria subsp. jamaicensisCucumis anguria subsp. longipesCucumis angurioidesCucumis aradaCucumis echinatusCucumis erinaceusCucumis longipesCucumis macrocarposCucumis parviflorusCucumis anguria var. longipesCucumis anguria var. anguria
