Marah macrocarpus – “Cucamonga Manroot”

Also Known As: Bigroot, Chilicothe
Family: Squash (Cucurbitaceae)
Bloom Period: Jan-Apr
Form: Perennial vine
Habitat: Washes with seasonal moisture
Leaves: Palmately-lobed; alternate
Translation: “Marah” is Hebrew for “bitter” and describes the flavor of the fruit; “macrocarpum” is Greek for “large-fruit,” which this plant produces.
Notes: Vines can grow to be 20 feet (6 m) long, and its root can weigh in excess of 220 pounds (100 kg). When the seeds germinate, the sprout first dives down into the soil where it splits into two parts. One becomes the root and continues downwards and the other reemerges into the light and becomes the herbaceous portion. Leaves of this plant have been consumed as vegetable, despite the unpleasant flavor. The root can be processed to make a soap-like extract.
Native American Uses: The Ohlone made a paste from the seeds for treating acne and skin sores and the root to make detergent lather. The Luiseño used the roots medicinally as a purgative and mixed the seeds with iron oxide and turpentine to make a red paint.
Animal Associations: Larvae of the aptly-named Manroot Borer moth eat the roots.