Marah fabacea (California Manroot)
Credit: Scott Hodges
about the species
Marah fabacea is the most widespread member of the California wild-cucumber species complex. These species form huge underground tubers that can reach an astounding size (>200 kg)! During the winter months vines sprout from the tuber and climb through adjacent shrubbery using tendrils. Each plant produces separate male and female flowers. The female flowers produce conspicuous spiny fruits in the early spring and then the vines die back and new ones are produced the following season. M. fabacea occurs along streamsides, washes and shrubby areas, primarily in central coastal areas but also extending inland to the Sierra Nevada foothills.
why species was selected
The genus Marah includes primarily California endemic species such as M. fabacea. Like a number of California plant groups, Marah species form a replacement series around the central valley with different species primarily found in southern, central or northern portions of the coast ranges or Sierra Nevada. As such, Marah represents a widespread California genus. The genus was important to indigenous Californians, who used it, among other things, to stun fish and as a soap.
