Practical
Plants

Marah macrocarpus

Chilicothe

a perennial woody member of the Marah genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Marah
Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is purgative[6][5]. The seed is made into a paste and used as a treatment on pimples and skin sores[5]. The oil from the seed is rubbed into the scalp to treat diseased scalps and hair roots[5]. The plant juices can be used as a parasiticide, rubbed onto areas of skin affected by ringworm[5].

Product or use
Parasiticide
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A red dye is obtained from the seed[6]. It can be mixed with iron oxide and turpentine to make a paint[5]. The root is used to make a detergent lather[5].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Paint
Product or use
Soap

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
Dry places below 900 metres[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained rich soil with abundant moisture[1][2]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[2]. 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[K]. 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[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  4. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  5. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  7. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

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