Chilicothe
Marah macrocarpa
Also listed as Echinocystis macrocarpa, Marah leptocarpa
Also known as Wild Cucumber, Large-fruited Manroot, Southern California Manroot
Climate Match for your location
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A vigorous perennial vine native to California with large, deeply lobed leaves and distinctive large, warty fruits. It climbs by tendrils and produces small white flowers followed by spiky, melon-like fruits.
Why grow it
Marah macrocarpa offers a vigorous, native alternative to non-native perennial vines for California gardens, particularly where summer dormancy and minimal maintenance are desirable. Unlike cultivated ornamental vines, it establishes quickly from seed and requires no fertilizer or supplemental water once established. The fruit, though primarily a curiosity rather than edible, provides structural interest and wildlife value in late-season gardens.
Watch out for
This vine produces copious volunteer seedlings where conditions suit it, so plan for regular removal if spread is unwanted. The plant dies back substantially in dry season, which can leave bare trellis space; pairing it with complementary vines helps maintain visual continuity. Seeds and roots can take several seasons to establish, so early thinning of surplus seedlings helps direct resources to primary vines.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California native
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Climber
Vines that climb the layers above on a support.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A vigorous perennial vine native to California with large, deeply lobed leaves and distinctive large, warty fruits. It climbs by tendrils and produces small white flowers followed by spiky, melon-like fruits.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Chilicothe grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Marah macrocarpa offers a vigorous, native alternative to non-native perennial vines for California gardens, particularly where summer dormancy and minimal maintenance are desirable. Unlike cultivated ornamental vines, it establishes quickly from seed and requires no fertilizer or supplemental water once established. The fruit, though primarily a curiosity rather than edible, provides structural interest and wildlife value in late-season gardens.
Watch out for
This vine produces copious volunteer seedlings where conditions suit it, so plan for regular removal if spread is unwanted. The plant dies back substantially in dry season, which can leave bare trellis space; pairing it with complementary vines helps maintain visual continuity. Seeds and roots can take several seasons to establish, so early thinning of surplus seedlings helps direct resources to primary vines.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California native
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Climber
Vines that climb the layers above on a support.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar climbers you might consider:
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