Indian Cucumber, Indian Cucumber-Root (Medeola virginiana L.)

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

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.

Photographic Location: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.