The squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium) owes its name to the way that its fruit, which resembles a small cucumber, explodes when the pressure of the liquid inside it builds up and this liquid carrying seeds of the plant bursts out. This can happen spontaneously when the fruit falls off the plant or when the fruit is subjected to some slight shock. In any case, this mechanism ensures that the seeds are ejected far away from the parent plant.
In the past, the plant has been used medicinally because of its strong purgative properties. Dioscorides mentions it in his De Materia Medica stating that “having broken and bruised the elaterium, put it into a washing jar, and pour on it oil of unripe olives. Let it remain for three days, and then take it up into a basket and press it out. Use the same weight of each ingredient, then, having stored it in a clean jar, use it. It has the same uses as the rosaceum [as an astringent]. but it does not soothe the bowels.”
The squirting cucumber is, however, quite toxic and its use is not now generally recommended. The main active component is a glucoside called elaterin.
The plant is native to the Mediterranean area and is considered invasive in some countries although, on the other hand, it has also been used for ornamental purposes.