What is the scientific name for a cucumber? The common cucumber scientific name is Cucumis sativus.
Cucumber is a cultivated plant used as a vegetable in daily food across many countries. People search for the cucumber’s scientific name along with genus, nutrition, uses, benefits, types, and classification details.
Cucumber grows as a vine crop that farmers cultivate during warm weather periods. The plant has a recognized family classification together with its scientific Latin name, which scientists use to document it in all botanical records.
Cucumber Scientific Name and Latin Name
Cucumis sativus is the Latin name for the cucumber.
The scientific name follows binomial nomenclature rules used in botanical classification. Scientists use two-part Latin names to identify each plant species for scientific purposes.
Cucumber Scientific Name Breakdown:
- Genus name: Cucumis
- Species name: sativus
Latin meaning:
- Cucumis: cucumber or gourd type plant
- Sativus: cultivated or farm-grown
The scientific name Cucumis sativus identifies the cucumber plant as a cultivated variety.
Cucumber Scientific Name Pronunciation
Pronunciation: KOO-koo-mis suh-TY-vus
The scientific name serves as the official term that botany books, seed catalogs, and agricultural databases use to identify the plant because common names lead to regional term confusion.
Cucumber Genus and Botanical Classification
The scientific name places the plant in a defined taxonomy structure used in botany and plant science.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Angiosperms |
| Class | Eudicots |
| Order | Cucurbitales |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus | Cucumis |
| Species | sativus |
The cucumber shares the Cucurbitaceae family with melon, squash, and pumpkin crops. Plants in this family show vine growth, tendrils, and fleshy fruits.
Genus Cucumis Plant Group
The genus Cucumis includes:
- Cucumber: Cucumis sativus
- Muskmelon: Cucumis melo
Plants in this genus show similar flower structure and seed pattern. The scientific name confirms its position in this plant group.
