Mutant cucumber plant?

GardenGuy00 · #1

I have the weirdest volunteer in my garden this year. It’s a CRAZY plant, seemingly a cucumber, that breaks off near the central stem into MANY vines going in different directions. Not just one vine as is the norm. These vines are long, too. Yet no matter what, there is no sign whatsoever of flower buds. Just more stem and leaves.

You can see it from a few angles below. I know I should probably get rid of it, but there’s something about it that fascinates me.

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Amateurinawe · #2

[mention]GardenGuy00[/mention] don't fall for those heart shaped leaves, lock your door at night and hide your fresh yoghurt.

Shule · #3

Could it be Kiwano (African Horned Cucumber/Melon)? It's a cucumber relative that has a grown habit something like that. It takes a while to get fruit, too. Did you put one in your compost? (They have fruits in the grocery store, at times.)

GardenGuy00 · #4

Shule wrote: ↑Thu Jul 15, 2021 3:59 pm Could it be Kiwano (African Horned Cucumber/Melon)? It's a cucumber relative that has a grown habit something like that. It takes a while to get fruit, too. Did you put one in your compost? (They have fruits in the grocery store, at times.)

Hmm… I honestly can’t remember. That’s certainly a possibility.

peebee · #5

[mention]GardenGuy00[/mention] I used Google Lens on one of the images & got Bur Cucumber. It doesn't seem to produce what we think of as cucumbers, and is considered a weed. I'd provide a link but my phone is dying now sorry.

Gardadore · #6

The first time I saw this I also thought it was a regular cucumber till it got up into the trees and spread all over. It is a weed for sure, but I didn’t know it was called but cucumber. I get it every year in one section of the yard and just have to rip it out.