Devil's Pickle (Ecballium elaterium)

Devil's pickle

El devil's pickle It is a very curious plant, which will surely surprise you. Although at first glance it may seem normal and ordinary, the truth is that it is one of those that you want to have, either in the garden or in a pot.

And it is that its common name has not been given for no reason, but for the way it has to disperse its seeds. Do you want to know how he does it?

Origin and characteristics

Devil's Pickle Leaf

Our protagonist it is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean Region and Macaronesia whose scientific name is ecballium elaterium. It is popularly known as the devil's pickle, and develops creeping stems, with heart-shaped triangular leaves, with rough but not spiny underside.

The flowers are yellowish, slightly flared, composed of five petals and whose diameter is about 2,5cm. The fruit is ovoid pendulous, 4 to 5 cm long, which is supported by a long peduncle that gradually swells until the internal pressure breaks it. In doing so, the fruit falls to the ground while the seeds are dispersed so powerfully that they can reach a distance of up to three meters.

It is a toxic plant. In large doses it can cause death.

What are their cares?

Devil's pickle flower

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

  • Location: outdoors, in full sun or in semi-shade.
  • Earth:
    • Pot: universal growing substrate.
    • Garden: grows in all types of soils, but prefers those that have good drainage.
  • Irrigation: 3-4 times a week in summer, somewhat less the rest of the year.
  • Subscriber: from spring to late summer with a organic fertilizer, liquid if it is in a pot or powder if it is on the ground.
  • Pruning: the dry leaves have to be removed.
  • Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
  • Rusticity: withstands cold down to -4ºC.

In this video (from minute 2) you will see how the seeds come out:

Did you know the devil's pickle?


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