Ecballium elaterium
Exploding Cucumber, Squirting Cucumber
Also known as: Ecballium officinarum Bubani, 1899
- Ecballium officinarum Bubani, 1899
Botanical Data
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Botanical Family: Cucurbitaceae
- WCVP Morphological Data: Recorded natively as a annual or subshrub.
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Found natively in Africa, Temperate Asia, and Europe, Ecballium elaterium (commonly known as Exploding Cucumber or Squirting Cucumber) is an annual or shrub belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Within its native range, this species is primarily associated with subtropical conditions. It is the only recognized species within its genus. There are naturally occurring subspecies of this species, which are linked below.
Macro Climate
Subtropical
Plant Type
Annual
Native Range
Continents (WGSRPD)
AFRICA, ASIA-TEMPERATE, EUROPE
Regions (WGSRPD)
Caucasus, Eastern Europe, Macaronesia, Northern Africa, Southeastern Europe, Southwestern Europe, Western Asia
Botanical Countries (WGSRPD L3)
Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Ukraine, Yugoslavia
Introduced Range
An “Introduced” distribution indicates that the plant is recorded outside its native range in that region as a result of deliberate or accidental human introduction. Introduced records may include casual, naturalized or invasive populations, but do not include plants that are only cultivated or planted without self-sustaining populations.
Botanical Countries (Non-Native)
Alabama, Azores, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Kazakhstan, New South Wales, New York, New Zealand North, Pennsylvania, Queensland, South Australia, Tadzhikistan, Tasmania, Uzbekistan, Victoria, Western Australia, Xinjiang
Subspecies, Varieties & Forms