Common Name: Arabian cucumber, Hedgehog cucumber.
This plant is a weak stemmed climber with tendrils. The plant is of African origin and was reported from India in 2010. The plant is threatening to become invasive in areas around Peninsular India. In Coimbatore district it has become a common road-side and fallow land plant in areas stretching from Madhukkari to Maruthamali hills. The plant is fully covered with white hairs; these hairs are stiff enough to cause minor serrations on the skin. The plant either spreads itself on the ground or rambles over nearby vegetation. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 6 cm and 6.5 cm respectively. The leaf shape is ovate in shape, the base heart shaped and apex is obtuse. The leaf margin is serrate and the leaf is shallowly tri-lobed. The flowers are axillary, male and female flowers are separate (on the same plant). The flowers are yellow in color. The flowers measure around 1.4 cm in length. The male flowers have 3 stamens and female flower has a 3 lobed stigma. The fruit is oblong in shape, green in color (initially) and measure around 6 cm in length. The fruits appear spiny all over- hence the common name “Hedgehog cucumber”). The mature fruit is yellow in color and has several seeds. The plant is considered edible in Africa.
