Cucumis sativus, member of the gourds with cylindrival "fruit" which are eaten as a vegetable.
Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It grows as vines producing cylindrical green fruit, which are eaten as a vegetable. It is a popular choice for salads and sandwich garnish.
Cucumbers originate in India, and the earliest known evidence for cultivation dates back to Western Asia and the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Cucumbers are typically eaten fresh (eg. in salads and sandwiches) or pickled for longer shelf lives. These are known as "pickles" in the US or "gherkins" in the UK (a gherkin is actually the same species as a cucumber but technically a different cultivar).
Use this tag for all questions about growing cucumbers.
