Marah fabacea
California man-root
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Cucurbitaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Marah fabacea (California man-root) is a native California vine in the Cucurbitaceae family, recognized by rotate corolla, spherical fruit with sparse prickles, and 2-4 seeds.
California man-root is a native perennial found in the Central and Southern California Floristic Province, including the Desert Mojave region, in streamsides, washes, and shrubby open areas at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces yellow-green to cream, and sometimes white, rotate corolla flowers. Growing with herbage that is generally not glaucous, it has sprawling vines that can extend widely through surrounding vegetation. Its leaves are varied, supporting the plant's climbing and spreading growth habit. The fruit is a nearly spherical structure about 4 to 5 centimeters long, covered with sparse to moderate stiff, unhooked prickles less than 12 millimeters long, containing 2 to 4 large ovate to oblong seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are rotate corolla, spherical fruit with sparse prickles, and 2-4 seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streamsides, washes, shrubby open areas
Elevation: < 1600 m
Bloom period
Marah fabacea blooms Feb-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Echinocystis: Marah fruits are beaked and symmetric; Echinocystis fruits lack prominent beaks.; vs Delairea: Marah is a cucurbit vine with tendrils; Delairea is a composite with daisy-like flowers.; vs Brandegea: Marah flowers are 3 mm or larger; Brandegea flowers are under 3 mm.; vs Vitis: Marah has white flowers and spiny fruits; Vitis has grapes and opposite leaves with tendrils.; vs Cucumis: Marah flowers are white/cream; Cucumis flowers are yellow.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marah fabacea native to California?
Yes. Marah fabacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Marah fabacea bloom?
Marah fabacea blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Marah fabacea belong to?
Marah fabacea is in the Cucurbitaceae family, genus Marah.
What habitat does Marah fabacea grow in?
Marah fabacea grows in Streamsides, washes, shrubby open areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.