Know your Cucumber

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, which includes squash, and is in the same genus as the muskmelon.

The cucumber is a creeping vine that roots in the ground and grows up trellises or other supporting frames, wrapping around ribbing with thin, spiraling tendrils.

The plant has large leaves that form a canopy over the fruit.

The fruit is roughly cylindrical, elongated, with tapered ends, and may be as large as 60 cm long and 10 cm in diameter.

Cucumbers grown to be eaten fresh (called slicers) and those intended for pickling (called picklers) are similar.

Cucumbers are mainly eaten in the unripe green form.

The ripe yellow form normally becomes too bitter and sour.

Cucumbers are usually over 90% water.

Having an enclosed seed and developing from a flower, botanically speaking, cucumbers are classified as fruits.

However, much like tomatoes and squash they are usually perceived, prepared and eaten as vegetables.