Spiky watermelon vine thing? Possible Cucumis?

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!

 

Could this be Cape Gooseberry?

 

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!)

 

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!

 

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

 

Marah oreganus.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I'm betting that's Echinocystis lobata, wild cucumber. I think it lacks the spike length due to being immature.
http://www.wiseacre-gardens.com/plants/wildflower/cucumber.html

 

We don't have that here.

 

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!"

 

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.