| Author |
Message |
purser
Member
Post Number: 29
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 6:03 pm: | 
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In a simpler time when kids found their own 'entertainment' there was a game involving the collection of 'cukes' in preparation for a cuke fight. I'm expecting a response to this blurb just for the reason that I'd like to know the real name of this plant (weed). The fun part, pf course, was nailing your opponent with one of these cukes as he poked his head up from where he was hiding. The cukes were pulled from the plant and were the size of a prune, but softer, and covered in bristles. They were not burrs. Nothing like developing your pitching arm and your coordination skills, by nailing someone with a cuke, when he dared stand up to attack. Okay, what is this plant? |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 274
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 9:50 pm: |
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These plants were growing in Temagami? |
purser
Member
Post Number: 30
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 11:32 pm: |
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I was reminded of it today walking around Cedar Green golf course. The weed was near a swamp, was about 3-4 feet high and was loaded with cukes. This late in the season they are almost gone to seed. There used to be a fair amount of swampland in the town. |
tsm
Member
Post Number: 30
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 3:55 pm: |
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Milkweed? |
kim
Member
Post Number: 61
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 11:25 am: |
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Wild cucumbers is what we called them in Lucknow Ontario.
Had many a heated battle with them.
If I recall correctly they grew as a vine in damp areas? |
splashdancer
Member
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 9, 2004 - 10:45 am: |
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You're right Kim. It is Wild Cucumber, common name or Echinocystis lobata. I think I'll remember the common name! My guide shows it on the edge of its range for Temagami. Apparently inedile and in fact explosive. Ripe fruit can hurl its four seeds up to 20 feet. Be careful out there! |
Temagami general