Achoccha—Cyclanthera pedata L.1
Achoccha is also called wild cucumber, caihua, and korila. However, it is unlike the viny plant known as wild cucumber in Florida, a weed pest in lawns and around the home with miniature cucumber-like leaves and fruits.
Credit: James M. Stephens
Description and Use
Achoccha, which is rarely grown in Florida, does produce a trailing vine, but the leaves are segmented, usually with five further segmented lobes. The vine is stringy, quite long (up to 40 feet), and equipped with tendrils for climbing. The leaves are 4–5 inches wide and divided into several lobes, some of which are further divided into mini-lobes. Fruits produced in Mexico and the Caribbean resemble hollow cucumbers. They are elongated, 4–6 inches long, 2–3 inches wide, and hollow. The spongy pulp contains black seeds attached to the placenta in a manner similar to pepper. In fact, the fruits are eaten much like pepper pods, often stuffed and cooked, but also eaten raw.
Culture
Propagation is by seeds, and the vines are often trellised. Similar soil preparation and fertilization practices as for cucurbits should be used.
This author has not observed it to produce fruit in Florida when seeded in September and maturing in short days of a warm fall.
