Squirting ‘cucumber’ …

By Rhiannonw

Fri, 21 Apr 2023
  • 845 reads
8 comments
 

Rough coated cucumber-like weed
near the Mediterranean sea,
pressure builds up, small opening weakened …
when ready, bursts at attachment to the stem when touched or brushed
exploding out a fountain of bitter sticky fluid and seeds
Such variety of complex design mechanisms,
impossible to develop bit by bit by chance.

https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/the-garden/plant-list/ecballium-elaterium/
has a brief video of David Attenbourough ‘playing’ with them and bursting out laughing at the sight as he ‘sets them off’.

[IP: fruit – I’m using it in the biological sense, not culinary]

 

Certificate U
Poem
Grand Designs
Nature
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by rosaliekempthorne on

never heard of once of these - great take on the inspiration point prompt.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, they are quite a sensation aren't they! I hadn't heard of them until doing a bit or research for the IP! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

What a fascinating series you've begun Rhiannon - and I loved the video too- thank you for posting this

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

thank you, there are such interesting ways amongst the plants! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

An informative fun piece of reading Rhiannon. You certainly brought the video to life with your poem.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. I hoped it would give a bit of fun! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"Rough coated cucumber-like weed...."

 

Sounds extraordinary and you bring it to life with your poem, Rhiannon. Fascinating video, as well. Paul :) 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes, it is so surprising isn't it? It was nice to see it in action, and thank you for saying the verse helped to visualise it. Rhiannon