Common vine in the chaparral. Emerges with first winter rains from a tuber that grows to several hundred pounds. Fruit pods are large and prickly. Completely dormant in summer. Caution: seeds are toxic. Plant Characteristics Family Name Curcurbitaceae Species Name Marah macrocarpa Common Name Wild Cucumber, Man Root, Chilicothe Plant Type Vine Sun Exposure Coast-Sun, Inland-Sun, Inland-Part Sun, Water Requirement Low Soil Type Any Flower Color White, Cream Flowering Months January, March, April, February Evergreen/Deciduous Summer deciduous/dormant Height by Width 15ft. x 15ft. Growth Rate Slow Endangered Not Ranked Growth Habit Climbing, Cold Hardy to 25 degrees F Distribution Southwestern CA, Sonoran Desert; Baja CA Natural Habitat Washes, shrubby or open areas; below 3,000' Specialty Features Local Plants Pollinators
