Bigroot, Chilocothe
Marah fabaceus

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It has a tuberous root. This can be several metres long. The stems are stout and hairy. They have tendrils. The vines can climb 6 m long. The leaves have 5 lobes and leaf size and shape varies. The flowers are yellow to white. Flowers are separately male and female. The fruit is round and 4-5 cm wide. The fruit are green and turn yellow as they ripen.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

Caution: The fruit should not be eaten. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Echinocystis fabacea Naudin; Micrampelis fabacea (Naudin) Greene;