Echinocystis lobata (Fr: concombre grimpant | EN: Wild cucumber)

Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata)
Also known as: Prickly Cucumber, Balsam Apple

This striking native vine never fails to catch the eye—or the nose. With its showy white flowers that release a sweet, pleasant scent in midsummer, and its curious inflated fruits, Echinocystis lobata is a standout in moist natural areas and gardens alike.

Family & Taxonomy
A member of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), Wild Cucumber is related to cucumbers, squash, melons, and loofahs. It is the only species in its genus (Echinocystis), but its closest known relative is believed to be Luffa aegyptiaca.

Range & Habitat
Found in every Canadian province except Newfoundland and Labrador, Echinocystis lobata is considered native from Saskatchewan eastward (excluding PEI, where it's introduced). In Europe and Russia, it has become invasive in some regions.

This plant thrives in moist soils, especially near streams, in marshes, thickets, and wet meadows—particularly in the Ottawa Valley.

Gardening Notes
This fast-growing annual vine can reach up to 10 metres in a single season. Though it can overtake other vegetation temporarily, it’s non-aggressive in the long term—it dies back each fall and regrows from seed.

• Soil: Rich, moist

• Water: Prefers consistent moisture

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Pair with: Eutrochium maculatum, Impatiens capensis, and other wetland wildflowers.

The fragrant flowers bloom in July and August, adding late-season scent and pollinator interest to your native garden.