Cyclanthera pedata

Cyclanthera pedata, also known as exploding cucumber, slipper gourd, or lady's slipper, is a species of flowering plant in the Cucurbitaceae family. It is native to the Andes and cultivated for its edible fruit.

Description

Cyclanthera pedata is a perennial vine that can reach up to 5 meters in length. The leaves are alternate, palmately lobed, and have long petioles. The plant produces unisexual flowers, with male flowers in clusters and female flowers solitary. The fruit is a large, inflated, and smooth capsule containing numerous seeds.

Cultivation and uses

Cyclanthera pedata is cultivated in the Andes for its edible fruit, which is consumed both fresh and cooked. The fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals, and has a taste similar to that of a cucumber or zucchini. It is also used in traditional medicine for its purported health benefits.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The genus name Cyclanthera comes from the Greek words 'kyklos', meaning circle, and 'anthera', meaning anther, referring to the circular anthers of the flowers. The species name 'pedata' refers to the bird-foot shape of the leaves.

See also

• Cucurbitaceae
• Andes
• Carl Linnaeus

References

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