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Medeola virginiana Medeola virginiana L.
Indian Cucumber-root, Indian Cucumber
Indian cucumber-root is a North American native. It is a member of the lily family. Its edible root smells and tastes pretty much like cucumber, hence the name. Everything about this plant is cool! The orderly whorl of leaves near the bottom, its attractive yellow flowers atop a long stalk, the smaller whorl of three leaves near the top, the amazing bright red center of the whorl visible in the fall, and the blue-purple-black berries. Identification: Indian cucumber-root is up to 8-16" (20-40 cm) high. About halfway up the bare stem is a whorl of 5 to 9 leaves. Each leaf is 3-5" (7.6-12 cm) long, and 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) wide. The leaves are almost completely flat, oriented upward. Then more bare stem, and on most plants a smaller upper whorl with 3 to 5 leaves. This configuration is unique. Yellow flowers ½-¾" (1.3-1.9 cm) around hang downward from the upper whorl. Large red-brown stems project from the backward-curled petals. Berries are shiny, purple-blue, almost metallic-looking. In the fall, leaves in the upper whorl turn red, but only near the stem; the red color persists even after the leaves turn brown. Edibility: Indigenous Americans ate the roots of these plants, which have a taste similar to cucumber. However, some sources report that the roots act as a diuretic. In any case, indian cucumber-root is uncommon now, endangered in some areas, so please don’t eat it.
Flower (a), berry (b). The edible root is at bottom, left, with a creeper to form a
new plant to the right. From The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia, 1889; scanned by Clipart ETC. Online References:
Medeola virginiana at Illinois Wildflowers Medeola virginiana on Ontario Wildflowers Medeola virginiana on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants Medeola virginiana at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Medeola virginiana on Southeastern Flora, the Southeastern U.S. Plant Identification Resource Medeola virginiana at the University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium Medeola virginiana on eFloras
8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, NH
4/15/1979 · VA · By Tim Chandler
7/12/2020 · Harraseeket Trail, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, Freeport, ME
8/28/2013 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, MA
10/5/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
Does anyone know what caused the dark-colored leaves? · 8/15/2010 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
6/2/2010 · J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, MA
10/5/2016 · Pine Meadow Conservation Area, Ayer, MA
8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, MA
8/7/2016 · Jeff Smith Trail, Jewett St., Pepperell, MA Medeola virginiana description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Jul 2020.
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6/2/2010 · J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, MA
8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, NH
6/2/2010 · J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, MA
9/8/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, NH
A hartford fern (Lygodium palmatum) is wrapped around the indian cucumber-root. · 8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
8/29/2015 · Mount Grace, Athol, MA
8/10/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, NH
9/4/2016 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
5/20/2014 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, NH
8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, NH
6/1/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, NH
8/9/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area
9/8/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, NH
8/9/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area Range:
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