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Medeola virginiana
Medeola virginiana L.
Indian Cucumber, Indian Cucumber-root
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: MEVI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Several nodding, yellowish-green flowers emerge from the center of a whorl of 3 leaves at the top of a slender, woolly, unbranched stem, on stalks that sometimes bend down below the leaves.
The root, 2-3" (5-7.5 cm) long and 1/2-1" (1.3-2.5 cm) wide is white, has a brittle texture, and tastes and smells somewhat like a cucumber. It was used by Indians for food, but digging it for such purposes today is not recommended because the plant is scarce. Birds are attracted to the fruit. At the time the berries turn bluish-purple, the cluster of leaves below them turns red at the lower half.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Purple, Blue
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , BrownBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia; south to Florida; west to Alabama and Louisiana; north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Moist woodlands.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Loam, Sand
Benefit
Use Food: The root tastes and smells somewhat like a cucumber. It was used by First Nations for food, but digging it for such purposes today is not recommended because the plant is scarce. (Niering)Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Medeola virginiana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Medeola virginiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Medeola virginiana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-20Research By: TWC Staff