Spiky watermelon vine thing? Possible Cucumis?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by jotjen, Jul 12, 2009.

  1. jotjen

    jotjen Member

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    Hello! I searched for hours and got nowhere, looking through plant ID charts and other websites. This is a plant that I found Near Issaquah in the Pacific Northwest just east of Seattle, living amongst blackberry bushes. The closest I could guess was some sort of Cucumis species, but could not find anything that was quite right. So here it is, any help would be appreciated!
     

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  2. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Could this be Cape Gooseberry?
     
  3. jotjen

    jotjen Member

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    I initially thought it might be a gooseberry, but it is much larger than any gooseberry or kiwi I know. It is also not furry at all. And I think a Cape Gooseberry has a papery outer shell like a tomatillo or ground cherry, and is smaller and yellow.

    Thanks though! (Fast reply too!)
     
  4. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    I have not the smallest doubt that our bevy of experts (aka: The Brain Trust) will have this puppy IDed for you in a flash. With one look, these lynx-eyed plant mavens will nail it!
     
  5. jotjen

    jotjen Member

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    Fingers crossed - I know the experts are out there... but are they paying attention? :)
     
  6. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Marah oreganus.
     
  7. jotjen

    jotjen Member

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    That's it!

    Thanks Ron, did you know that from experience or do you have some secret book or website of plant identification that you use?

    For anyone interested:

    The Oregon Manroot or Coastal Manroot, Marah oregonus, is a common manroot of northern west coast of the U.S.. It ranges from California north to Canada.

    It is "edible" - (not poisonous), but extremely bitter. The meaning of the word Marah, Wikipedia tells me, means bitter in Hebrew.
     
  8. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    I know the plant, have seen it many times in this area. While more typical of rich valleys farther from the Sound there are a few places where it grows on brushy hillsides in Seattle and on Vashon.
     
  9. mywan

    mywan Active Member

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  10. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    We don't have that here.
     
  11. FarmGirl12

    FarmGirl12 New Member

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    I noticed this invasive vine here on Vashon the other day -- and looked it up. To my dismay, it is a severely invasive vine that has been reported in many states! All are part of the Marah genus. Fragrant flowers, though. Maybe in a pot?
    "Feed me, Seymour!"
    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQrcpAe9E9KxteYIDcWWz1uIxOUAAAPzoKzxD8tAgy7aInSULMl.jpg
     
  12. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Hmm, which vine? Marah? Marah oreganus is a native species. And I don't think it would survive in a pot for very long, since I believe it to be the largest-rooted non-woody native species.
     

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