Creeping Cucumber – Identification

Q: We have a creeping vine that produces a seed pod which looks like a tiny watermelon about an inch long. The leaves are about 1″ across. It climbs up through existing bushes and also will climb under/behind wood siding. Any advice on getting rid of it?

A: The vine is creeping cucumber, Melothria pendula. Unlike a watermelon, it is perennial and continues to come up from its roots each year.

The best way to control it is to spray the leaves with glyphosate (click for sources) if they are not near your good plants.

Or you can pull it from bushes and from the soil. You’ll get control in a year or so.

BTW: I would not recommend eating the fruit; some say it has a strong laxative effect!

See also:
Creeping Cucumber

Creeping Cucumber – Edible?

creeping cucumber and fruit 2

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