Page 78 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Indian Cucumber, Medeola

virginiana (LILIACEAE)

Ryan Hodnett, CC-BY-SA-4.0
Fritz Flohr Reynolds, CC-BY-SA-2.0

INDIAN CUCUMBER or Indian Cucumber Root is a green, and elliptic to oval in shape with pointed tips.
perennial that grows 1-2.5 ft. (0.3-0.7m) tall. It has Leaves often get a purple tinge when once berries form.
one erect unbranched stem with 1 or 2 whorls of
EDIBLE PARTS: roots
leaves. Plants with 2 whorls of leaves produce flow-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: The root may be diuretic and
ers. The central stem is medium green, slightly wool-
has been used to treat edema.
ly when young, becoming hairless and smooth with
maturity. HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Harvesting is not rec-
ommended as this is a rare plant. If you must harvest,
FLOWER: Hermaphroditic flowers occur at the top of
take the opportunity to replant some of the rhizomes
the second tier of leaves. There are 3-9 nodding/hang-
to help distribute the plant. Roots are crisp and tender
ing flowers. Each flower is 0.6 inch (16 mm) across.
with the aroma and taste of cucumber. They can be eaten
They have 6 greenish-yellow petals that fold back
raw or cooked and have a sweet flavor. When the plant
with time, revealing a center with purple stamens and
has finished flowering and setting seed in the fall, gen-
3 distinctive red styles. They bloom from late spring to
tly dig the small 3-inch (7.5 cm) roots. Take a moment
early summer for about 1 month. In late summer and
to spread some berries to help distribute its seeds.
fall, the small flower stalks become more erect hold-
ing berries with seeds. They are ¼-⅓ inch (6-8 mm), INDIAN CUCUMBER WITH WILD GREENS: Gather 1
dark purple berries that are held above the leaves. or 2 Indian cucumber roots. Wash and rinse away any

LEAF: In flowering plants, there are 2 whorls of leaves: debris. Slice thinly. Gather 2 cups wild greens and dunk
one at the middle of the stem with 5 to 10 leaves that in cold salted water. Many greens are improved if there
are 2 ½ to 5 inches (6.5-13 cm) long and ½ to 2 inches has been a light frost. Trim and rinse greens. Spread
(0.6-5 cm) wide and an upper tier of whorled leaves greens on a plate and top with thinly sliced Indian cu-
at the top of the plant with 1 to 5 leaves that are 2 cumber root. Dress this salad gently with 1 tbsp. light,
to 4 inches (5-10 cm) long and ½ to 2 inches (0.6-5 herbed vinegar mixed with ½ tsp. of maple syrup.
cm) wide. All the leaves are smooth, hairless, medium

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