Cucumis sativus, commonly called cucumbers, belong to the Cucurbitaceae family. They are known for their cylindrical or spherical fruits and come in three main types: slicing, pickling, and seedless, with numerous commercial varieties. These vines grow on the ground or trellises with large leaves shading the fruits. Cucumber fruits, with their high water content, are considered botanical berries but are often treated as vegetables in cooking, like tomatoes and squashes.