Cucumis anguria
bur cucumber
A climbing or scrambling annual which reaches 3m. It has green lobed leaves with a bristly feel and yellow flowers. These develop into green fruit the size of an egg, which are covered in green, long thick hairs or soft spines. The flesh and pips inside are pale green
Other common names
bur gherkingoareberry
see moregooseberry gourd
prickly-fruited gherkin
West Indian gherkin
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | Green | |
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Trailing, Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Pets: Bitter fruit can be TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Cucumis is a genus of twining plants with tendrils which includes cucumber, melons and gerkins. Around 30 species are native to Africa and 25 to India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a warm sheltered spot or under glass, in moist soil with good drainage and full sun. For more advice see cucumber cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Edible fruit
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic virus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.