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Medeola virginiana

Also Known As

Cucumber-root

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 1'-2'
W: 1'-2'

planting zones

3a-8b

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Medeola virginiana plant details

Medeola virginiana is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring chartreuse and yellow flowers emerge followed by black and blue fruit. Attracts birds. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Medeola virginiana

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: liliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 1 FT - 2 FT - tall
Flowers: chartreuse and yellow blooms in spring
Uses: edible

GROWING CONDITIONS for Medeola virginiana

USDA Zones: 3a - 8b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

"Indian Cucumber Root" is quite the appropriate common name for this Liliaceae plant. I can verify with first hand knowledge that the small white fleshy tubers really do taste like cucumbers. I love how the foliage whorls around the stem in layers, increasing in number as the plant matures. Easy to grow in full shade to part sun. Small yellowish green flowers produce black berries in the autumn that look really cool over the yellowing foliage. 8-12" tall, moist woodland conditions.

By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

Medeola virginiana or indian cucumber root is an oddball eastern North American native that will be loved by anyone who appreciates Paris and Trillium. It grows 1-2 feet tall on a single stem with a whorl of lance-shaped, mid green leaves at mid stem with a whorl of green bracts and pendulous green and burgundy flowers that turn upwards when pollinated to form black berries against red-flushed bracts.