Medeola virginiana

Cucumber-root (Indian Cucumber-root)

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Mid-Atlantic bloom time: April - June
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe: September - October

The flower of Cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana), hidden under its leaves, is only a centimeter across, but clearly shows the 3-part form of this plant. The tepals curl back to reveal three styles (those longish brown parts curling backwards, part of the pistils) and six stamen each ending in an anther. Its stems are wiry and slightly pubescent.

The tuber-like rhizomes of Cucumber-root, when scratched, smell faintly of cucumber, giving the plant its common name.

When not in flower, or in younger plants that have only one layer of leaves, it can sometimes be mistaken for one of the whorled pogonias (orchids in genus Isotria). If confused, look at the stems, which in Isotria are fleshy and lack hairs.

13 April 2023 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	20 May 2013 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	10 May 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	2 May 2025 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA
2 May 2025 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	12 May 2023 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	12 May 2023 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	24 August 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (ripening fruit on upper structure)
24 August 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (ripe fruit on upper structure)	6 September 2019 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (ripe fruit on upper structure)

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