Medeola virginiana , commonly called Indian cucumber root, is a slender, upright perennial wildflower that typically grows 1-2.5’ tall on a single, unbranched stem rising up each year from a crisp, edible rhizome. It is native to rich moist woodlands with acidic soil in eastern North America. Leaves that grow below fruit develop red areas on the surface, matching the color of the dark fruit.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Upper whorl of three 1-3 in. leaves; lower whorl of 6-10 leaves, 2.5-5 in. long; all are ovate to lanceolate. They become purple-tinged when in fruit.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower shape
Trumpet; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Nodding yellow-green flower on top of a slender, woolly unbranched stem; petals and sepals curve backward. Flowers bloom April-June
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Dark blue berries with red pedicel- inedible. Fruits are available September-October.
Stem color
Gray/Silver; White
Stem detail
White hairy when young
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern Canada to Eastern Central & Eastern U.S.A
Distribution
Canada to Florida in moist, deciduous woods
Wildlife value
Attracts birds.
Attracts
Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Roots
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
The thickened rootstalk of this plant may be eaten raw, resembling somewhat the taste of cucumber. It may also be used in salads. Although Native Americans used the rootstalk for food, this is no longer recommended because plants are becoming quite scarce in many regions.