Ecballium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae containing a single species, Ecballium elaterium,[1][3] also called the squirting cucumber, as well as the noli me tangere[citation needed] and its English translation touch-me-not[citation needed].

[4] E. elaterium is native to Europe, northern Africa, and temperate areas of Asia, and is considered an invasive species.

[7] The pressure-building method may depend on the phloem sieve tubes, indicating that the squirting mechanism can be decreased in water stressed conditions.

[4] This method is accomplished passively; the fruit changes its structure as it dehydrates and deteriorates, causing movement.

elaterium could have sprayed its seed to an entire plot, the sizes and locations of all infested areas remained relatively similar.

It forms colorless scales which have a bitter taste, with evidence as a poison when consumed through the nose or mouth.

[14] According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, "[t]he action of this extract resembles that of the saline aperients, but is much more powerful.