Cucumber Root
ExplorePlants
Cucumber Root
Medeola virginiana
Cucumber root is a special plant that grows in the woods. It has a unique, tasty root that some people like to eat. The leaves are long and green, making it look very pretty in nature.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Cucumber Root has a slender, upright stem and distinct whorled leaves arranged in two tiers. Its lower whorl holds 5-9 broad, elliptical leaves, while the upper tier contains 3-5 smaller, narrower ones. Small, greenish-yellow flowers are followed by dark blue-purple berries.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderLilialesFamilyLiliaceaeGenusMedeola
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Cucumber Root has a surprise! It changes color to deep red in the fall!
Its root actually tastes a bit like cucumber, which is how it got its name!
Native Americans once used its starchy roots as a potato-like food.
This plant's leaves grow in two perfect circles, one above the other!
Special abilities
Ability
Food Storage Root
Cucumber Root has an edible tuberous root that helps it store energy and survive winter.
Ability
Sunlight Collector
Cucumber Root has two distinct whorls of leaves that help it efficiently capture sunlight in the shaded forest understory.
Ability
Berry Beacon
Cucumber Root produces dark blue-purple berries that attract birds, helping disperse its seeds far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-70 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- May-July
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on its leaves
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
eats its blue-purple berries
pollinates
Common Eastern Bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
visits its small flowers
shelters
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
grows in its shade
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching or eating any wild plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Cucumber Root?
30-70 cm
How wide does Cucumber Root spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Cucumber Root?
1-2 cm
When does Cucumber Root bloom?
May-July
Is Cucumber Root edible?
Yes
Is Cucumber Root toxic?
None
What is Cucumber Root's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Cucumber Root pollinated?
Insect
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