Wild Cucumber (Streptopus amplexifolius)

Family: Convallariaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Streptopus amplexifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour, they are reported to be slightly cathartic when growing in certain areas only. — Fruit - raw or cooked in soups and stews.; Juicy with a cucumber flavour, they are reported to be slightly cathartic when growing in certain areas only.; The fruit is laxative if eaten in large quantities according to another report.; The oval berry is up to 15mm long.

Habitat & North American Range

Wet sub-alpine woods. Moist woods and thickets. Rich moist coniferous and deciduous woods at elevations of 0 - 2800 metres in America. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)