RFID
Name / Scientific name
005
Cucumis anguria
Wild cucumber, Maroon cucumber, West Indian gherkin.
To anyone familiar with the cultivated cucumber, wild cucumber might seem like a different plant altogether.
Pepino silvestre grows on climbing vines with broad leaves that capture sunlight and support the plant’s growth.
Inside of the Pepino Silvestre
Its fruits are much smaller, often no longer than a finger. Shaped by harsh conditions, their skin is firm and covered in fine, soft spines. The plant grows as a slender climbing vine, with small leaves that spread outward and bright yellow, delicate flowers that give way to the spiny fruits.
This species originates in Africa and was introduced to the Americas centuries ago. Over time, it has become wild-growing, reproducing on its own without cultivation. In the Sierra Mixteca, it appears with seasonal rains. During periods of drought, when maize and beans produce very little, chayotillo is gathered from the surrounding hills as a humble source of nourishment, as a gesture of endurance. For the people of Tonahuixtla, it proves that survival depends not only on what is planted, but on understanding and recognizing what grows on its own. A reminder that the land always offers something.
Wild cucumber, Maroon cucumber, West Indian gherkin
The flesh is pale, crisp, and slightly bitter.
In Tonahuixtla, chayotillo is gathered and eaten fresh, sometimes with salt and chile.
