Sicyos australis

Endl.

Star cucumber, Angled cucumber

Cucurbitaceae Edible: Leaves 227 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc0

no rights reserved, uploaded by Peter de Lange

iNaturalist· cc0

no rights reserved, uploaded by Peter de Lange

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

A pumpkin family plant. It is a scrambling herb. The stems can be 4 m long. It climbs with tendrils. The leaves are almost triangular. They can have lobes and are finely toothed. They are 5-8 cm wide. The upper surface is rough to the touch. The flowers are greenish and 5 mm across. Several flowers occur together. The fruit are about 10 mm long. They have soft spines.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on rocky limestone ground. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Australia*, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed.

Notes

There are about 50 Sicyos species.

Synonyms

Sicyos angulatus auct. non L.Sicyos fretensis J.D. Hook.

References (9)

Baker, M. L. & de Salas, M. F., 2012, A Census of the Vascular Plants of Tasmania. (On line)
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 143
Crowe, A., 1997, A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin. p 157
Flora of Australia, Volume 8, Lecythidales to Batales, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra (1982) p 193
Flora of Australia Volume 49, Oceanic Islands 1, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. (1994) p 130

Show all 9 references

Harris, S., Buchanan, A., Connolly, A., 2001, One Hundred Islands: The Flora of the Outer Furneaux. Tas Govt. p 228
Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 23
Whiting, J. et al, 2004, Tasmania's Natural Flora. Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee PO Box 194, Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia 7315 p 99
Williams, K.A.W., 1999, Native Plants of Queensland Volume 4. Keith A.W. Williams North Ipswich, Australia. p 354