Scientific Name
Melothria pendula
Common Name
Creeping cucumber

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Cucurbitaceae
Plant Description
Annual, slender, climbing vine with tendrils beside the leaves; leaves alternate, simple, palmately 3-5 lobed; flowers solitary and axillary, 5-parted; fruit a green or black berry with white seeds.
Origin
USA, NC
Distribution
Mostly Coastal Plain and lower Piedmont..
Where Found
Forest or natural areas, in low woods, fields, thickets, marshes; weedy in disturbed areas such as roadsides and fields.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Berries.
Symptoms
Diarrhea.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Raw berry, but a strong laxative.
Toxic Principle
Unknown.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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