Bur-cucumber (Sicyos angulatus, Sp. Pl.: 1013 (1753))

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1013 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sicyos

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A.

Description

Bur-cucumber, scientifically named Sicyos angulatus, is an intriguing plant native to Eastern Canada and Central and Eastern United States. First documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this member of the Cucurbitaceae family has garnered attention both for its distinctive appearance and its ecological impact.

Characterized by its vigorous climbing habit, Bur-cucumber thrives in a range of environments from woodlands to disturbed areas, favoring moist, nutrient-rich soils. The plant features deeply lobed leaves, tendrils, and a high growth rate that enables it to form dense mats, often outcompeting native vegetation. Its greenish-white flowers, which bloom in summer, are relatively inconspicuous but play a crucial role in the plant’s life cycle.

One of the most notable aspects of Sicyos angulatus is its fruit, which is covered in bristly spines, giving the plant its common name. These burs facilitate seed dispersal by adhering to animals and humans, broadening the plant’s range. However, this characteristic also contributes to its notoriety as a problematic weed in some regions, leading to efforts to control its spread.

In an ecological context, Bur-cucumber’s aggressive growth can significantly impact local flora, making understanding and managing this species critical for maintaining biodiversity in affected areas. Despite its invasive tendencies, it remains a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists alike, offering insights into plant behavior, adaptation, and interactions with the environment.

Common Names

Eng: bur cucumber, bur-cucumber, oneseed bur cucumber, oneseed burr cucumber, wall bur cucumber, nimble-kate, star cucumber, one-seed burr cucumber, angled burr cucumber, burr cucumber, one-seed star cucumber, wall burr cucumber
Fra: concombre anguleux, sicyos anguleux
Deu: gewöhnliche haargurke, haargurke
Pol: harbuźnik kolczasty
Ita: sicios angoloso
Swe: hårgurka
Ces: libenka hranatá
Hun: szögletes gyepűtök
Nld: stekelaugurk, stekelige komkommer
En: Bur-cucumber, Oneseed bur cucumber, Spiny cucumber, One-Seed Burr-Cucumber, BLUEEYEDGRASS, BUR CUCUMBER, Nimble-Kate, Oneseed burr cucumber, Star cucumber, Wall bur cucumber, One-seed burr cucumber, Angled burr cucumber, Burr cucumber, One-seed star cucumber, Wall burr cucumber, Burcucumber
Be: Сіцыёс вуглаваты
Bg: Сициос
Zh: 刺果瓜
Cs: Libenka hranatá
Nl: Stekelaugurk, Stekelige komkommer
Fi: Nokkakarvakurkku
Fr: Concombre anguleux, Sicyos anguleux
De: Haargurke, Eckige Haargurke, Kantenblatthaargurke, Gewöhnliche Haargurke
Hu: Szögletes gyepűtök
It: Sicios, Sicios angoloso
Ja: Arechi-uri
Ko: 가시박
Pl: Harbuźnik kolczasty
Ru: Сициос угловатый
Sv: Hårgurka
Zh-tw: 刺果瓜
Zh-hant: 刺果瓜

Synonyms

• Sicyos schimperi (Naudin)
• Sicyoides angulata ((L.) Medik.)
• Elaterium trifoliatum (L.)
• Sicyos acutus (Raf.)
• Micrampelis echinata (Raf.)
• Sicyos angulatus f. ohtanus (Asai)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by Donà Eracle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2022 by Mancini Giovanni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2019 by Jared Barton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2022 by Anni Jinder (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by jeff b (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 22, 2020 by Tyler Wicks (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2022 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2020 by Dorann Weber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2019 by 1x1x141 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2022 by Anni Jinder (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 17, 2020 by manon laporte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2020 by Elisa Palermo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Rosalyn Jones (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2022 by Anni Jinder (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2020 by bec bee (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 2, 2015 by EOL − Jenny Smith (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 7, 2015 by EOL − bendingtree (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 10, 2021 by Angela Bellini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Shannon Johnson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2016 by EOL − owenclarkin (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Lily Jones (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by ariel isaias ayma romay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2022 by Cj Williams (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Jérôme robert (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 8, 2019 by Iva (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2014 by EOL − Evan Raskin (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 18, 2020 by Talon Ogden (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2874655)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30348317-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sicyos angulatus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb, Vine

Growth