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Wild Cucumber in Wetlands: problem? #874452

Asked June 24, 2024, 2:15 PM EDT

Hello- We first noticed Wild Cucumber vines in our swamp/marsh land late last August. The blooms were quite visible- and too late to adequately remove. The vines took down cattails and reeds in a specific area. They appear to not have returned strongly this year- and the area is replaced with grasses. I notice the vine has returned this year (!)- not yet in bloom. Should I be concerned that it will invade the entire marsh- taking down more cat tails and reeds? What steps should I take to remove or care for the marsh and wetland- if any? Thank you for the help-

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Its an annual so if the flowers are removed, the seed pods cannot develop. The third web page on this list also has pre-emergence information for following years. 
https://extension.umn.edu/node/23271
https://extension.umn.edu/natural-resources-news/wild-cucumber-vine-growing-all-over
https://agupdate.com/midwestmessenger/lifestyles/rural_news/removing-wild-cucumber-from-windbreaks/article_26f1d432-d007-11e9-a141-6f6ba8917cbd.html
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/08/wild-cucumber-frequently-misidentified-native-vine
Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied June 24, 2024, 2:52 PM EDT

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