Ecballium

9.9

A Mediterranean plant like a cucumber whose fruit bursts to scatter seeds

noun

Specialized

: Ecballium

The fruit of the Ecballium plant bursts open to scatter seeds when fully ripe.

Examples

Gardeners sometimes avoid planting Ecballium because its exploding fruit can be messy.
Did you know that Ecballium can shoot its seeds?
Ecballium is often studied for its unique seed dispersal mechanism in botany classes.
The Ecballium plant is fascinating to study.
The fruit of the Ecballium plant bursts open to scatter seeds when fully ripe.
Gardeners sometimes avoid planting Ecballium because its exploding fruit can be messy.
Ecballium is often studied for its unique seed dispersal mechanism in botany classes.

Compounds

Ecballium elaterium

Specialized

9.9

A plant from the Mediterranean like a cucumber whose fruit bursts and throws out seeds and juice

Surface Forms

Ecballium singular

Ecballiums plural

Etymology

Ecballium comes from Greek parts ek- 'out' and ballein 'to throw', so its name means 'to throw out'. That fits the plant because its fruit suddenly 'throws out' or squirts its seeds when ripe.