Spiny melon-ish plant in Ruckel Creek hanging meadows

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Bosterson
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Spiny melon-ish plant in Ruckel Creek hanging meadows

Post by Bosterson » June 29th, 2013, 11:01 pm

It's kind of viney and reminds me of a melon, but looks more like a chayote. Whazzat?
Plant1.jpg
Plant2.jpg
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Limey
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Re: Spiny melon-ish plant in Ruckel Creek hanging meadows

Post by Limey » June 30th, 2013, 7:23 am

Looks like wild cucumber, Echyosistis Lobata. They are not edible.



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BigBear
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Re: Spiny melon-ish plant in Ruckel Creek hanging meadows

Post by BigBear » July 3rd, 2013, 2:07 pm

I agree that these are wild cucumber (aka big root) and they are not edible.

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adamschneider
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Re: Spiny melon-ish plant in Ruckel Creek hanging meadows

Post by adamschneider » July 20th, 2013, 8:30 am

It's a kind of wild cucumber, yes, but if you found it growing wild in Oregon, it's probably Marah oreganus, not Echinocystis lobata.

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bobcat
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Re: Spiny melon-ish plant in Ruckel Creek hanging meadows

Post by bobcat » July 20th, 2013, 2:56 pm

Wild cucumber is probably too bitter for humans, but it is not toxic. I have often seen the fruits broken open and eaten by some creatures (birds, ground squirrels, coyotes?). It is also called manroot because its tubers are huge - it would be a good day's work to dig them out!

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Splintercat
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Re: Spiny melon-ish plant in Ruckel Creek hanging meadows

Post by Splintercat » August 2nd, 2013, 10:07 pm

It is also called manroot because its tubers are huge - it would be a good day's work to dig them out!
Which explains why it can survive out in the middle of Rowena Plateau (and other otherwise arid, vernal meadows).

Don't want to turn this thread blue, but "manroot" has a very specific euphemistic meaning in pulp romance fiction... not that I read that crap, mind you! :lol:

-Tom :)

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