Cucumber, Squirting (Ecballium elaterium), packet of 10 seeds, organic
$4.95
Family: Cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae)
Hardy to Zones 8 to 12, otherwise grown as a summer annual, 90 days to fruits.
(Squirting Cucumber) Perennial vine growing from a perennial root. Rare and unusual. Native to the Mediterranean. The plant produces oversized blossoms of yellow that give way to the elongated, horned fruits. As the fruit ripens, it becomes loaded with elastic energy, then loose at the point of attachment, and when jiggled (or if left long enough, spontaneously) the fruit dislodges from the stipe and forcefully disgorges its seed in a strong spurt up to a distance of 6 feet. This is an unique dissemination strategy and is very fun to play with. In times gone by, the fruits were picked in season and disgorged onto linen, which was allowed to dry in the sun. The bitter flakes of this dried juice, known as “Elatarin” were dispensed in pharmacies as a strong laxative. Low-dose botanical. Plant prefers deep gravel over soil, full sun to part shade, and moderate watering. Start in spring in pots or in hills. Easy.
10 seeds per packet, Certified Organically Grown
In stock
Camille –
I slip a canning jar over the fruits, and if you are careful not to touch the fruit until you get the jar around it, you catch all the seeds. Kids love this plant!
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Brandon C (verified owner) –
I grew this too and amazingly it overwintered sucvessfully, got it to set fruit the 2nd year and it was lots of fun!
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Richo Cech –
the kids do really love this stuff. mainly they want to splush me with it
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