Cyclanthera brachystachya, the exploding cucumber (but not to be confused with Ecballium elaterium), in the cucurbit or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), is a herbaceous vine usually grown for its curiosity value, but the fruit is also edible.[1]
Exploding cucumber (Cyclanthera explodens) in slow motion
Distribution
It is native from Guatemala south to Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.[1]
Description
It is a scrambling or trailing annual plant growing up to 3m long, with hairless stems. The leaves are 5–10cm diameter, with three or five lobes, and a 3cm petiole. The unusual fruit are 2–4cm long, curved but bilaterally symmetrical, bulbous and spiny; they explode when ripe to disperse the 7–9mm wide seeds.[2] The plant is monoecious, producing both male and female flowers on the same plant in mid-summer.[2]
Cultivation
It is propagated by its puzzle-piece-shaped seed, and grown in conditions similar to other cucurbits like cucumbers and melons. It prefers warm to hot climates with regular watering. Once established the vine can. Although preferably grown over some kind of support, it can also be grown along the ground.
Food uses
The fruit can be used raw when small (less than 2cm) in salads, or cooked when mature (2.5cm, exploded).[citation needed]
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