hedgehog cucumber
Cucumis dipsaceus Ehrenb. ex Spach
Cucumis dipsaceus, also known as hedgehog cucumber, is an annual climbing herb in the Cucurbitaceae family. It is native to eastern Africa, including Sudan, southern Egypt, and Ethiopia, and has a wide distribution across tropical and arid regions. The plant produces oblong fruits covered in hairs, which give it the nickname 'hedgehog cucumber.' These fruits change color from green to yellow as they mature and contain numerous seeds. The species was first described in 1838.
Description
Cucumis dipsaceus is a climbing herb found in tropical and arid environments. Its native range includes parts of eastern Africa, and it has since spread to various regions, including the Galápagos Islands, the United States, and parts of South America and the Caribbean. The plant is characterized by its oblong, hairy fruits, which are yellow when ripe and contain multiple seeds. The species is commonly referred to as hedgehog cucumber due to the spiky appearance of its fruits. It was first published in 1838 by Ehrenb. ex Spach.
Other common names
Hedgehog gourdteasel gourdhedgehog cucumberwild cucumberwild horned melon
Distribution
CU · CW · AW · MX · Aratoca | Barichara | Capitanejo | Cepitá | Enciso | Piedecuesta | San José de Miranda | Villanueva · SE · Galápagos Islands · Belgium · Flemish Region · Antioquia, Bolívar, Chocó, Cundinamarca, La Guajira, Magdalena, Tolima, Valle, Huila · EC · DO · Hawaii · conterminous 48 United States · Aruba · Bolivia · Brazil Northeast · Central African Repu · Colombia · Cuba · Ecuador · Eritrea · Ethiopia · Galápagos · Kenya · Leeward Is. · Mexico Northeast · Mexico Northwest · Mexico Southwest · Netherlands Antilles
Synonyms
Momordica dasycarpaCucumis dasycarpa
