Chilicothe, Cucamonga manroot
Marah macrocarpus

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

Marah macrocarpus is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Dry places below 900 metres.

South-western N. America - California.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The root is purgative. The seed is made into a paste and used as a treatment on pimples and skin sores. The oil from the seed is rubbed into the scalp to treat diseased scalps and hair roots. The plant juices can be used as a parasiticide, rubbed onto areas of skin affected by ringworm.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating: 2

A red dye is obtained from the seed. It can be mixed with iron oxide and turpentine to make a paint. The root is used to make a detergent lather.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Paint: Plants used directly as a paint. Does not include oil plants and dyes that can be used as ingredients in paints.

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.

How it is grown

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained rich soil with abundant moisture. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Plants are found in dry soils in the wild so this suggests that they will be better off in a dry soil in this country. A perennial plant, it is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c, and is perhaps best grown as an annual. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in pots of rich soil in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 weeks at 20°c. Put 2 or 3 seeds in each pot and thin to the best plant. Grow on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Perennial Climber

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Echinocystis macrocarpa. Greene.