Micrampelis lobata (Michx.) Greene
Sicyos lobata Michx.
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Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. & A. Gray Wild cucumber, balsam apple, prickly cucumber, wild balsam apple
Echinocycystis contains both Latin and Greek roots that translate roughly to "a sac with spines like a hedgehog," an appropriate description of the fruit. Identification: These plants are herbaceous vines, with tendrils that wrap around other plants and tighten to form a spring. They favor wet ground—flood plains, river banks, borders of woods, thickets—anywhere with soggy ground and lots of sun. They contain alternate leaves, lobed and slightly serrated. The leaves are an off-center star, with two small, two medium, and one longer point. Flowers are greenish-white, with six petals. They appear from July to early August. The fruits are the most interesting and unique aspect of these plants. They are initially round and densely covered with soft prickles. They extend to a length of 1-1¾″ (3-5 cm), variegated light/dark green, with prickles more spread out. They have the shape and coloration of tiny watermelons, to which they are related. In the fall the fruits, under accumulated hydrostatic pressure, open and eject their seeds, at a rather respectable speed of 38′ (11 m) per second. The empty shells, now light brown and looking a lot like a porcupine fish, often remain on the plant through the winter. As the outer layer rots away, a netlike sac of fibers remains to provoke the sense of wonder of passing naturalists (Photo 7). Online References:
The Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
1 · 8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)
2 · 9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)
3 · 9/7/2022
4 · 8/16/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
5 · 9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)
6 · 2/27/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
7 · 2/27/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm) Echinocystis lobata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
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8 · 9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)
9 · 8/16/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
10 · 11/20/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
11 · 9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 10 × 15″ (26 × 39 cm)
12 · 8/16/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
13 · 9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 23 cm)
14 · 8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 23 cm)
15 · 9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)
16 · 8/16/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
17 · 8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 10 × 15″ (26 × 39 cm) Range:
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