Coastal manroot
Marah oreganus

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A vine that keeps growing from year to year. It has a large woody root. The stems are trailing or twining. The leaves are alternate and glossy. They are 20 cm long. They have shallow lobes spread out like fingers on a hand. The flowers are white. They are 6-12 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in thickets and along the edges of forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, North America

How it is used for food

The young leaves have been used as a vegetable and tea. Caution: The seeds are poisonous.

Edible parts

Leaves, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Echinocystis oregana (Torr. & A. Gray) Cogn.; Megarrhiza oregona (Torr. & A. Gray) Torr.; Megarrhiza oregona (Torr. & A. Gray) S. Watson; Micrampelis oregana (Torr. & A. Gray) Greene; Sicyos oreganus Torr. & A. Gray;