Creeping-cucumber (Melothria pendula, Sp. Pl.: 35 (1753))

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 35 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Melothria

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. U.S.A. to Trop. America

Description

The Creeping-cucumber, scientifically known as Melothria pendula, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. First described in 1753, this species has intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts alike with its unique growth patterns and ecological adaptability.

Melothria pendula is native to a vast geographical range that extends from the central and eastern regions of the United States down to tropical areas of the Americas. This widespread distribution highlights the plant’s versatile nature and its ability to thrive in diverse climatic conditions.

Characterized by its creeping growth habit, the Creeping-cucumber tends to spread along the ground or climb nearby structures using its tendrils. This growth form enables the plant to efficiently cover ground and colonize new areas, making it a dynamic player in its native ecosystems.

The leaves of Melothria pendula are typically heart-shaped and display the vibrant green commonly associated with members of the Cucurbitaceae family. Its small, yellow flowers are not only attractive but also play a crucial role in the plant’s reproduction by attracting pollinators.

One of the most distinctive features of the Creeping-cucumber is its fruit. These fruits are small, ovoid, and resemble miniature cucumbers. While they are edible, caution is advised as the level of ripeness can significantly influence their palatability; unripe fruits tend to have a bitter taste.

Melothria pendula’s presence from the temperate regions of the United States to the tropical climates of Central and South America underscores its adaptability and ecological importance. This plant not only contributes to the diversity of the ecosystems it inhabits but also offers potential uses in horticulture and gastronomy, albeit with mindful consideration regarding its edibility.

In summary, Melothria pendula, or the Creeping-cucumber, is a versatile and ecologically significant plant with a broad native range and distinctive characteristics that make it a valuable subject of study in the botanical world.

Common Names

Eng: guadeloupe cucumber, creeping cucumber, creeping-cucumber, drooping melonette, meloncito
Por: abobrinha-do-mato, abóbora-do-mato, cereja-de-purga, guardião, melão-de-beija-flor, melão-de-morcego, pepino-bravo, pipino-silvestre, tayuya-miúdo
Swe: hängmelotgurka
Spa: meloncito, pepinello, pepinito
En: Creeping-cucumber, Guadeloupe cucumber, Creeping cucumber, Drooping melonette, Meloncito
Pt: Abobrinha-do-mato, Abóbora-do-mato, Cereja-de-purga, Guardião, Melão-de-beija-flor, Melão-de-morcego, Pepino-bravo, Pipino-silvestre, Tayuya-miúdo
Es: Pepinito, Meloncito, Pepinello, Chiverrillo
Sv: Hängmelotgurka

Synonyms

• Melothria obtusiloba (Spruce ex Cogn.)
• Apodanthera gracilis (Benth.)
• Melothria fluminensis var. microphylla (Cogn.)
• Diclidostigma melothrioides (Kunze)
• Melothria pervaga ((Macfad.) Griseb.)
• Melothria pendula var. microcarpa ((Griseb.) Cogn.)
• Melothria fluminensis (Gardner)
• Melothria microcarpa (Griseb.)
• Melothria monoica (Schrad. ex Steud.)
• Bryonia filiformis (Roxb.)
• Melothria crassifolia (Small)
• Melothria repanda (Raf.)
• Melothria nashii (Small)
• Melothria pendula var. aspera (Cogn.)
• Melothria pendula var. chlorocarpa (Cogn.)
• Bryonia melothria (Crantz)
• Melothria pendula var. crassifolia ((Small) Cogn.)
• Landersia pervaga (Macfad.)
• Cucumis glaber (Walter)
• Melothria guadalupensis ((Spreng.) Cogn.)
• Melothria edulis (Raf.)
• Melothria chlorocarpa (Engelm. ex S.Watson)
• Melothria nigra (Raf.)
• Bryonia guadalupensis (Spreng.)
• Bryonia convolvulifolia (Schltdl.)
• Melothria fluminensis var. triangularis (Cogn.)
• Melothria fluminensis var. ovata (Cogn.)
• Melothria fluminensis var. macrophylla (Cogn.)
• Melothria fluminensis var. hydrocotylifolia (Cogn.)
• Melothria punctata (Raf.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Borneo (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Nov 22, 2020 by Meirelles Chaves Mario (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by h h (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by david (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2022 by n lins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Julio Moguel Yanes (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 4, 2022 by Erika Benavente (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2020 by Frances Roberts (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Sadanand Jangam (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Naomi Bert (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2022 by Helleborus Orientalis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Leirana Jorge (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2019 by Mai (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2021 by ting navarro (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Habit

Taken Sep 4, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 6, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 25, 2015 by EOL − Liselle Santos (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 29, 2015 by EOL − grbfrog (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Aaron Jenkins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2019 by Chavarria Kevin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2020 by Gonzalez Sylvia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2014 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 25, 2020 by Elizabeth semmler (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – E. Castro, O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – E. Castro, O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2874550)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:293293-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Melothria pendula L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth