bur cucumber; star cucumber
A vine plant (Sicyos angulatus) native to North America, considered an invasive species in Japan. The name is usually written in katakana.
The bur cucumber is designated as an invasive alien species.
Bur cucumber is overgrowing on the riverbed.
Katakana spelling is standard for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is uncommon; the plant is normally written in katakana.
Variant kanji spelling; rarely used.
The name アレチウリ (荒地瓜) literally means 'wasteland gourd', referring to its habitat and cucumber-like fruit. The exact derivation is uncertain.