Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Cucurbitaceae ⟩ Ecballium elaterium / squirting cucumber

Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich.

squirting cucumber (Cucurbitaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
LocalVery strong tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Ecballium elaterium is a toxic Mediterranean plant that was once widely grown for medical use.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2015-08-05

 squirting cucumber / Ecballium elaterium: _Ecballium elaterium_ is a toxic Mediterranean plant that was once widely grown for medical use.

Flower

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2015-08-05

 squirting cucumber / Ecballium elaterium: Flower

The fruit is a pressurised container; when it falls from the plant, its contents are squirted long distances.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2015-08-05

 squirting cucumber / Ecballium elaterium: The fruit is a pressurised container; when it falls from the plant, its contents are squirted long distances.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne