Burr Gherkin (Cucumis anguria) is species of vine in the family Cucurbitaceae, originated from West Africa. It is also known as West-Indian Burr Gherkin, maxixe, Spiny cucumber, and Burr Cucumber. It is grown for its fruit which is used as a vegetable.
Burr gherkin is an annual climber growing up to 2.4 m, with hairy stems and leaves. The leaves are alternate, deeply 5-lobed, 9 cm long and broad. The plant flowers from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The self-fertile, yellow flowers are monoecious (male and female flowers are borne on the same plant), and are pollinated by insects. The fruit is 4-8 cm long and 2-4 cm in diameter, green, round, and covered in edible soft spikes or burrs, yellowish when ripe. Burr gherkins are usually picked when they are 4 cm or less long, as larger fruits usually have an unpleasant and bitter taste.
The mild-flavored Burr gherkins can be pickled, eaten raw, or cooked like zucchini. They are popular in northeast and north Brazil, where they are used in a local meat-and-vegetable stew called cozido.
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