The squirting doesn’t come from the cucumber itself. They also produce a little spout like tentacle, like the pouring spout on a teapot. That’s where the spray comes from. Gee…I didn’t see any exploding fruit. That compounds the fun! I did a post, complete with pictures, on ST last year in November, probably in the Italy department. I called the thread “Plant with a Brain.”

Thanks for the tip on your posts! I don’t think P ever experienced any squirting, just the exploding fruit. I, on the other hand, have never even seen fruit on this plant, so I’ll keep an eye out….

On the morning we left the B & B, I wanted to snap a few photos so that I could research it at home. As I sat on the railroad tie, the darned thing squirted me and I didn’t even see it happen. The stench gave it away and my husband recoiled when I got back in the car. Luckily it dissipated before long.

I am completely intrigued. I think it was called a spitting cucumber!

Two other things. I enjoy your blog from time to time…and my darling DIL is a Duke Grad.

I just asked P if he knew the name and he doesn’t, but spitting cucumber sounds about right. He said when he was young, he used to practice trying to take the little cucumber-like things off of the plant…with even the slightest touch, he said, they’d explode. Blech. He said he finally succeeded after many, many, icky tries

Please pass along my best regards to your Blue Devil DIL, and thanks so much for reading

but….the interesting thing about this plant is that it has a brain. Please…go and observe this plant over a season. From those cute yellow flowers will come a cucumber-like fruit. There will also be some sprouts that have a very interesting behavior. Using a garden tool, go and rustle the plant and it will throw off a stinky spray at you, a defense mechanism. The really mind boggling thing is that if you annoy it enough, it will remember you and spray you when you even come near, not even bothering it.

I was so intrigued by this plant that I wanted to bring home a sprig, but I couldn’t stand the smell!

Pat, hoping that’s two beans worth

Much more than two beans, Pat–grazie!

P has always told me never to touch it, that it emits something nasty, so I’ve trusted him–and if it’s going to remember me, even better that I have since I walk by it several times a day! I’ve never seen little fruits on it, but that could be just because of where it’s located, which is a crack in the cement where it surely doesn’t get great nutrients…but I’ll be watching (and not touching it) just in case

I do hope to see Calabria’s autumn beauty one day!

I love doggie kisses too

jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Blog Blast for Education: Geoffrey Canada and The Harlem Children’s Zone

Me too Jen

I have no idea. It’s probably poisonous to animals since it’s fuzzy and none of them ever touch it

Kath’s last blog post..organize your desk day

That’s so cute! I *love* great-aunts and great-uncles

I’m right there with you

bonggamom’s last blog post..For the love of football

Thank you Bonggamom

I love that you see love all around you, that it is never lost on you, no matter where you are.

I love that you share it with everyone, every week.

I love the vanilla coffee in my mug that I am not supposed to have, but I am sipping it anyway.

I love fall.

XO
Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Wanderlust Scarlett’s last blog post..Flowers

Ah the forbidden vanilla coffee tastes the sweetest