Marah fabaceus
| Marah fabaceus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Marah fabaceus (common name: bigroot)
Propagation: 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: Requires a rich soil and abundant moisture[1].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[2].
A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils[3].
Range: South-western N. America - California.
Habitat: Banks and slopes below 750 metres in coastal strand and mixed evergreen forests[4].
Edibility: Used as a vegetable[5]. We do not know if the fruit, root or the leaves are used[K].
Usage: The crushed seeds, mixed with oil, have been rubbed on the hair to prevent baldness[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Monoecious
Known Hazards: The root is said to be poisonous to fish[6]. We have no reports as to whether or not it is toxic to mammals[K].
Also Known As: Echinocystis fabacea. Naudin.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.