Ecballium elaterium (Squirting cucumber)

Botanical name

Ecballium elaterium

Other names

Squirting cucumber

Genus

Ecballium Ecballium

Species

E. elaterium - E. elaterium is tender, bushy or trailing perennial, often treated as a half-hardy annual, and grown for its unusual but poisonous fruits. The plant has large, rough leaves and in summer bears solitary yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Ripe fruits are cucumber-like and explode at the slightest touch, expelling their seeds (hence they can be invasive).

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Spreading

Toxicity

Fruits are poisonous if ingested and contact with skin may cause irritation.

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Colour

Flower

Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Green in Summer

General care

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Ecballium elaterium (Squirting cucumber) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 1m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders

Cultivation

Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Will grow well in poor soil. In frost-prone areas, treat as a half-hardy annual.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Ecballium elaterium (Squirting cucumber)

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Ecballium elaterium (Squirting cucumber)

Common pest name

Oriental tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides claratris

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in parts of Asia and East Africa; where it can cause damage to solanaceous crops. Europe-wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Ecballium elaterium (Squirting cucumber)

Common pest name

Soybean looper

Scientific pest name

Chrysodeixis includens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous insect pest; present in the Americas; with the potential to be damaging to UK glasshouse crops; particularly tomatoes

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/