Ecballium
Ecballium
Ecballium (pronounced ek-BAL-ee-um) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae. It is commonly known as the "squirting cucumber" or "exploding cucumber".
Etymology
The name "Ecballium" is derived from the Greek word "ekballo", which means "to throw out". This is in reference to the plant's unique method of seed dispersal, where it "throws out" its seeds by ejecting them forcefully from the fruit.
Description
Ecballium is a small genus, consisting of only one species, Ecballium elaterium. The plant is native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. It is a perennial plant that grows up to 60 cm tall. The leaves are lobed and the flowers are yellow. The fruit is a small, green cucumber-like structure that, when ripe, squirts a stream of mucilaginous liquid containing its seeds.
Related Terms
- Cucurbitaceae: The plant family to which Ecballium belongs. Other members of this family include melons, cucumbers, and squashes.
- Seed dispersal: The movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant. In the case of Ecballium, this is achieved through a unique method of ejection.
- Perennial plant: A plant that lives for more than two years. Ecballium is a perennial, meaning it has a lifespan of several years.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ecballium
- Wikipedia's article - Ecballium
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