The term pickle plant does not correspond to a widely recognized botanical or horticultural concept in authoritative taxonomic literature. It is not listed as a common name for any specific species in major plant databases such as The Plant List, International Plant Names Index (IPNI), or USDA PLANTS.
Possible contextual usage
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Culinary context – In informal speech, “pickle plant” may be used to refer to the vegetable that is commonly pickled, most notably the cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Cucumber is a vine‑bearing annual plant in the family Cucurbitaceae, cultivated globally for its edible fruits, which are often processed into pickles by brining or fermentation.
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Colloquial or regional names – Some nurseries or hobbyist growers might apply the nickname “pickle plant” to certain succulent or ornamental species whose foliage resembles the shape or texture of pickles. No such usage has been documented in peer‑reviewed botanical references, and any such application appears to be anecdotal and highly localized.
Etymology
The phrase combines the English word “pickle,” derived from the Middle Dutch pekel meaning “brine,” with “plant,” indicating a living organism used as the raw material for pickling. The construction suggests a literal meaning “the plant that is pickled,” rather than a formal taxonomic designation.
Conclusion
Given the absence of verifiable, widely accepted sources defining “pickle plant” as a distinct species or cultivar, the term is considered insufficiently documented for encyclopedic entry. Further information would be required to establish it as an established concept.