Cucumber

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a popular, extensively cultivated plant that belongs to the gourd family of Cucurbitaceae. The cucumber originates from South Asia, more particularly in India. The plant’s cultivation history goes back some 3000 years and it is now being produced on most continents.

The cucumber plant is a creeping vine that grows up trellises or other supporting frames. The plant supports itself with thin, spiraling tendrils. The cucumber plant has large leaves and it produces an elongated, cylindrical fruit that may become as long as 60 cm or 24 inches long and 10 cm or 3.9 inches in diameter. Cucumbers develop from flowers and their seed develop within the fruit, therefore in botanical terms they are classified as berries. However, like tomatoes and squash, cucumbers are often regarded, prepared and eaten as vegetables. Cucumbers consist of water for more than 90%.