Our 2023 EFN seed catalogue is now online! 100+ new varieties. Over 40 different growers and foragers from across the country. A million thanks to all who make this possible, especially our amazing seed-house crew!

Ethiopian Burr Gherkin

Ethiopian Burr Gherkin

$3.75 Sale

Cucumis anguria

Origin: Ethiopia

Improvement Status: Landrace

Seeds per packet: ~30

Germination tested 1/2023: 87%

Life cycle: Annual

This is a delicious Ethiopian variety of the cucumber-relative typically called "West Indian Burr Gherkin" in English, though it's actually an African species. These seeds were grown for us by the great Amirah Mitchell of Sistah Seeds, after we requested this variety from the USDA. It entered the USDA collection in 1967. It's best used before full-sized (except for seed-saving!), but this one is good to a larger size than most. Amirah also reports that this variety has fewer spines than most of the species, that they rub off quite easily, and that the young fruit was so tasty she plans to grow it again!

NOTE: Amirah didn't get a photo, so this is a photo from the Smithsonian, taken in Puerto Rico, but depicting a young fruit similar to what this one looks like.