Carried by 2 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Wild Cucumber (Marah fabaceus) is the most common of the manroot species native to California. Wild Cucumber is a vine with stout, hairy stems and tendrils and broad robed leaves.
The vines appear in late winter in response to increased rainfall, and can rapidly climb or scramble to a length of 20 feet, but goes dormant in the summer. The flowers are orange, yellow or white. The fruit is noticeable: a large, green, prickly sphere. The seeds are a favorite of wildlife.
Wild Cucumber grows in full sun and takes very low water. Hybrids between California manroot and the other species are common.
Perennial herb, Vine
18 ft Tall
Fast, Moderate
Summer Semi-deciduous
Orange, White, Yellow
Spring
Full Sun
Very Low, Low
Fast
Adaptable.
Seed no treatment
7*, 8, 9, 10, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Streamsides, washes, shrubby and open places
Chaparral, Coastal Strand, Foothill Woodland, Mixed Evergreen Forest
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 4 likely
Glorious Squash Vine Borer Moth
Melittia gloriosa
Wandering Tiger Moth
Spilosoma vestalis