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/
It looks very pretty but I can imagine farmers and gardeners hating it.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that was the name of that flower@ I've seen it. The ragweed made me sneeze just to think about it.
ReplyDeleteCucumber? Really? Wow. It's very pretty. The barn photo is a gem.
ReplyDeleteI love the name. Looks rather weedy and invasive, despite its beauty. Nice pic of the barn.
ReplyDeletePretty soon this old barn will be wrapped up in this stuff. I guess all areas have their invasive plants.
ReplyDeleteEG, the blossom is beautiful as are your photos. Who doesn't love flowers and old barns?
ReplyDeleteThank you for you kind comment, and I look forward to seeing more of your work.
It does look pretty. I love that old barn, although it looks like it could use some work.
ReplyDeletewhat lovely starry flowers, I guess it probably causes problems though growing like that
ReplyDeletethe first and the last are my prefered..congrats
ReplyDeletehttp://graceolsson.com/blog/2010/08/only-next-year/
It looks pretty but too bad that it's not edible :-(
ReplyDeleteThe wild cucumber is lovely. That's a beautiful old barn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for identifying this plant. I never knew what it was called.
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteLove the soothing color of your shot.
It would appear it does take over -poor old barn. :)
(Carletta's Captures)
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.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo of the wild cucumber plant. The barn shot is great.
ReplyDeleteAnother new plant to enhance my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
JJ
Who knew "wild" could be so cool!
ReplyDeleteTakes over almost like kudzu!
ReplyDeletehello!beautiful images i see on your blog! congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGood shots from you here!
ReplyDeletehttp://birgittasfoto.blogg.se/
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.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Sunday!
What an interesting plant but it sounds rather invasive.
ReplyDeleteYour 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.
ReplyDeleteThats quite a vine along with that very photogenic barn.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have that cucumber here but we do have a ragweed that is yellow.
Engulf and devour!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, love the poor barn neing beset.
Wild cucumber is pretty, but I can imagine it wouldn't be the thing to plant on the farm.
ReplyDeletevery pretty! prickly cucumber--that's interesting! the photo of the barn is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWow, the building has laods of character!
ReplyDeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post as always. MB
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!
ReplyDeletepoor barn if it is left to decay.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, pretty shots, both the close-ups and the long view. The barn has seen better days, but makes a romantic photo.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I love the old barn but I haven't heard of wild cucumber before. How neat!
ReplyDeleteEG, I love that barn...love the wild cucumber, though if I had to deal with it I might not care for it.
ReplyDeleteI am so far behind on your blog...I am looking but not commenting on all. But I am enjoying all of it.