Injection cucumber

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

Last updated on: 21.02.2025

Synonym(s)

Ecballium Elaterium; Gherkin; Jumping cucumber

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

The cucumber (Ecballium elaterium), also known as donkey cucumber and jumping cucumber, is a perennial plant from the pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae). Ecballium elaterium is native to the Mediterranean region. It has strongly branched, hairy stems that can grow up to 120 cm long. The green oval leaves are hairy on the underside. The spray cucumber blooms with yellow five-part bell-shaped flowers. The elongated oval fruits are very hairy. Poisonous!

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

Ecballium elaterium is the parent plant of Fructus Ecballi, the fruit extract of the injection cucumber.

The cucumber must never be used for self-therapy, as it is highly toxic (see Fructus Ecballi below).

Authors

Last updated on: 21.02.2025

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles