Native throughout much of North America, Echinocystis lobata (Wild Cucumber) is a fast-growing, warm-season annual vine with soft, fleshy, grooved stems clothed with large, palmate, bright green leaves adorned with 3-5 pointed lobes. It climbs onto arbors, pergolas, walls, and other low structures with curling, 3-forked tendrils that arise from the leaf axils. These tendrils are touch sensitive and contract to a coil when they contact a support. In summer, sweet-smelling, 6-petalled, star-like white flowers are produced. The male flowers occur on long, upright, branching panicles borne in the leaf axils, while the female flowers occur singly or in pairs. The female flowers are followed by unusual spiky green fruits resembling small cucumbers. When ripe, they burst open and expel the seeds. They are not edible and can be used in dried flower arrangements.

• Grows up to 25-30 ft. long (7-9 m). Will self-seed readily in the landscape.
• Thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun.
• No serious insect or disease problems.
• Great for trellises, walls, fences, arbors, and other structures.
• Native to North America.