'Man root' looks like a plant from outer space

One end of this spike-covered pod from the man root has peeled open.
Courtesy Descanso Gardens

This Learning Link was provided by Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, near the interchange of the 2 and 210 freeways. For information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.DescansoGardens.org.

The Marah macrocarpus (MAR-ah mac-row-CAR-pus) is one strange plant. It is commonly called "wild cucumber" or sometimes "man root" because roots can be as long and wide as an average man. Its juice is bitter and poisonous. It has strong vines that sprout up each spring, look for something to climb on, then grow up to 30 feet long before the end of summer.

But the most amazing thing about this plant is the fat, green seed pods that hang by their tails among the leaves. As big as baseballs, they are covered with scary-looking spikes and filled with large, slimy seeds and soapy pulp. As each pod matures, one end peels open and the seeds drop out. It looks like the plant is from outer space!

The vines die back each year, but the root below ground stores starch and water needed to produce new vines for the next year. The Marah macrocarpus grows wild throughout California. Finding one in bloom will definitely surprise you!

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