Sunday, August 22, 2010

Wild Cucumber/ Today's Flowers

Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) aka wild balsam apple

Blooming now over most of southern Ontario, rapid-growing wild cucumber vines grow along fence lines, at the edge of woods and in lowland areas.  The fruit looks sort of like a prickly cucumber. (It's not edible, though! At least I don't believe it is.)

The green spikes to the right of the the wild cucumber  -  ahh-choo! -  are ragweed flowers (Yep those are flowers). Ragweed's pollen when blown in the wind causes hay fever.

Wild cucumber climbs up then cascades down this tree trunk


The vine grows to 5 metres (17 feet) long, covering everything in it's path


If you love flowers -- and who doesn't - check out Today's Flowers at http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

34 comments:

Nessa said...

It looks very pretty but I can imagine farmers and gardeners hating it.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I had no idea that was the name of that flower@ I've seen it. The ragweed made me sneeze just to think about it.

cieldequimper said...

Cucumber? Really? Wow. It's very pretty. The barn photo is a gem.

Leora said...

I love the name. Looks rather weedy and invasive, despite its beauty. Nice pic of the barn.

Kathy said...

Pretty soon this old barn will be wrapped up in this stuff. I guess all areas have their invasive plants.

D said...

EG, the blossom is beautiful as are your photos. Who doesn't love flowers and old barns?

Thank you for you kind comment, and I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Al said...

It does look pretty. I love that old barn, although it looks like it could use some work.

Crafty Green Poet said...

what lovely starry flowers, I guess it probably causes problems though growing like that

http://graceolsson.com/blog said...

the first and the last are my prefered..congrats
http://graceolsson.com/blog/2010/08/only-next-year/

Lui said...

It looks pretty but too bad that it's not edible :-(

Carver said...

The wild cucumber is lovely. That's a beautiful old barn.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Thanks for identifying this plant. I never knew what it was called.

Carletta said...

My Mom and I were just talking about hearing wild cucumber and had no idea what it looked it. Now I do. It is rather pretty.
Love the soothing color of your shot.
It would appear it does take over -poor old barn. :)

(Carletta's Captures)

Shammickite said...

I've seen this plant everywhere recently, and it's really pretty, looks like snow on some trees and bushes. But I never knew what it was called, thanks for the information.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful photo of the wild cucumber plant. The barn shot is great.

JJ said...

Another new plant to enhance my knowledge.
Interesting.
JJ

Cher' Shots said...

Who knew "wild" could be so cool!

Janet said...

Takes over almost like kudzu!

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

hello!beautiful images i see on your blog! congratulations!

Birgitta said...

Good shots from you here!

http://birgittasfoto.blogg.se/

Tara said...

Oooppsss...ragweeds for sure isn't for me. They'll cause my Sinusitis I know. But the Cucumber vine looks cool, never seen that before. That house is kinda old and flowers fit in the scene. Mine is at Flower Town page.

Have a nice Sunday!

jabblog said...

What an interesting plant but it sounds rather invasive.

George said...

Your first picture of the wild cucumber flower is beautiful, even with the ragweed! The picture of the barn reminds me of the kudzu that grows over everything down here.

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

Thats quite a vine along with that very photogenic barn.

We don't have that cucumber here but we do have a ragweed that is yellow.

Arija said...

Engulf and devour!
What a wonderful post, love the poor barn neing beset.

Roan said...

Wild cucumber is pretty, but I can imagine it wouldn't be the thing to plant on the farm.

Unknown said...

very pretty! prickly cucumber--that's interesting! the photo of the barn is fantastic.

Unknown said...

Wow, the building has laods of character!

Small City Scenes said...

Oh that stuff!!! When I used to pick berries at a farm it was growing along the fence lines. Yes It will cover everythin in it's path.
Interesting post as always. MB

Gemma Wiseman said...

I have never seen the flowers of wild cucumber! They look like a white verson of a thistle! And adore that old barn! Lots of character!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

poor barn if it is left to decay.

Francisca said...

As usual, pretty shots, both the close-ups and the long view. The barn has seen better days, but makes a romantic photo.

Unknown said...

Amazing! I love the old barn but I haven't heard of wild cucumber before. How neat!

Rose said...

EG, I love that barn...love the wild cucumber, though if I had to deal with it I might not care for it.

I am so far behind on your blog...I am looking but not commenting on all. But I am enjoying all of it.

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.