paddy melon

Cucumis myriocarpus, the gooseberry cucumber, gooseberry gourd, paddy melon, mallee pear or prickly paddy melon, is a prostrate or climbing annual herb native to tropical and southern Africa. It has small, round, yellow-green or green-striped fruit with soft spines, small yellow flowers and deeply lobed, light green leaves. The melon occurs in disturbed soil and cleared or bare areas, and thrives on summer moisture.

The entire plant is toxic due to the presence of various cucurbitacins. The plant is toxic to humans as well as to horses, sheep, cattle and pigs and it has been associated with livestock deaths. It has been used by humans as an emetic. There are records of poisoning occurring in humans.