Lava bed melon on Big Island???

Joined
Jul 31, 2017
Messages
2
Reaction score
2
Country
United States
I was hiking on a new and very sparse lava bed in Hawaii (Big Island) when I found this plant. It has leaves and tendrils simiar
IMG_20170730_145424845.jpg
View attachment 24894 View attachment 24894 View attachment 24894 to a pumpkin) and some sort of fruit.
IMG_20170730_145432397.jpg
IMG_20170730_145424845.jpg
 
Joined
Jul 31, 2017
Messages
2
Reaction score
2
Country
United States
After doing more research I found this is an invasive spp to Oahu and the Big Island. They have been use moths as a biocontrol of this plants.
 
Joined
Aug 10, 2021
Messages
4,224
Reaction score
1,485
Location
California
Country
United States
Teasel Gourd (Cucumis dipsaceus), also known as Hedgehog Cucumber, is a member of the Gourd Family (Cucurbitaceae) native to eastern Africa, but now also a weed in Hawaii and various parts of the New World, including Texas and the Galapagos.
It is considered an annual, though in a tropical climate that will likely vary. The fruit are edible, but obviously more difficult to peel than those of the common cucumber (Cucumis sativus).

Here is an amusing photo of how rampantly this vine grows in Hawaii.
http://www.starrenvironmental.com/images/image/?q=50338040601
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Staff online

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
26,585
Messages
256,575
Members
13,258
Latest member
alba

Latest Threads

Top