Native Plant of the Week: Cucumber Vine ~ Echinocystis lobata

Cucumber Vine (Balsam Apple) ~ Echinocystis lobata


The dried vines of Cucumber Vine are still evident this time of year as they hang from tree limbs and cover shrubs and grasses.

This common, annual native vine is found most often along riparian areas or wetlands preferring moist, rich soils.

The white, six parted flowers emerge in mid July in clusters (racemes) along the vine. Most of the flowers are male, just a few female flowers are interspersed.

Cucumber Vine grows a significant amount for an annual vine, reaching heights of 30 feet or more. It often climbs horizontally along low lying wetland shrubs, grasses and sedges. 

It will also climb vertically up trees clasping branches with its many tendrils.

The leaves on Cucumber Vine are very attractive, large and sharply lobed into a palm-like shape.

In early September the bladder-like seed pod develops, clothed with many sharp spines. Inside are 4, black shiny seeds. The pod turns a light brown as it dries, and eventually dried enough for the seeds to rattle around inside.

Seeds are available at some native plant nurseries if you have a good place to train this vine. It can be extremely showy when in flower, and equally attractive afterwards covered in seed pods. A full sun, moist location is ideal.

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP).
2011. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.

Cucumber Vine is native to central North America, see map for range.