Marah (the manroots, wild cucumbers, or cucumber gourds) are flowering plants in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to western North America. The genus (which Kellogg noted was characterized by extreme bitterness) was named for Marah in Exodus 15:22–25, which was said to be named for the bitter water there.[1]
Except for the isolated range of Marah gilensis (Gila manroot) in west-central Arizona and island populations (M. macrocarpus var. major), all manroot species inhabit overlapping ranges distributed from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico. Although Marah oreganus (coastal manroot) extends inland into Idaho, all other manroot species except M. gilensis are confined to areas within 300 km of the Pacific Ocean coast.
The manroots are perennial plants, growing from a large tuberous root. Most have stout, scabrous or hairy stems, with coiling tendrils that enable them to climb up other plants; they can also grow rapidly across level ground. Their leaves tend to have multiple lobes, up to 7 in some species. The fruits are striking and easily recognized. They are large, and spherical, oval or cylindrical. At a minimum they are 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter, but can be up to 20 cm (8 in) long, and in many species they are covered in long spines. Both leaf and fruit shape vary widely between individual plants and leaves can be particularly variable even on the same vine.
The anthropomorphic common names "manroot" and "old man in the ground" derive from the swollen lobes and arm-like extensions of the unearthed tuber. On old plants, the tuber can be several meters long and weigh in excess of 100 kg (220 lb).
Marah species hybridize freely where ranges overlap and this, in addition to intra-species leaf and fruit variability, makes definite identification of specimens a particular challenge.
A proper genetic analysis of Marah phylogeny has not yet been undertaken. The standard taxonomy has been based on morphological comparisons and geographic considerations.
Some authors include the manroots in genus Echinocystis. Considered as a separate genus, however, it includes six or seven species, some of them with well-defined varieties within them:
Marah oreganus are used medicinally by Native Americans. The Chinook make a poultice from the gourd. The Squaxin mash the upper stalk in water to dip aching hands. The Chehalis burn the root and mixed the resulting powder with bear grease to apply to scrofula sores. The Coast Salish make a decoction to treat venereal disease, kidney trouble and scrofula sores.
The dried spiky fruit can be soaked in water so that the spikes can be easily removed. They are difficult to remove otherwise. The hard fruit becomes soft in water and once the spikes are gone, the fruit makes a very efficient loofa.[2] The tubers of M. fabaceus and M. macrocarpus contain saponins which can act as a natural soap.
Tubers of M. fabaceus are crushed and thrown into bodies of water by the Kumeyaay to immobilize fish. The tubers contain megharrhin, a saponin-like glucoside. Saponins lower the surface tension of water allowing the formation of bubbles. It is likely that the substance enters the fish's circulation through the gill arches where only a single-cell epithelium separates the water from the animal's red blood cells. The affected fish float to the surface.[3]
Like many medicinal plants, at least some Marah species are toxic if ingested and deaths have been reported from ingesting them.
Seeds of Marah fabaceus have been reported as being hallucinogenic.
Marah (the manroots, wild cucumbers, or cucumber gourds) are flowering plants in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to western North America. The genus (which Kellogg noted was characterized by extreme bitterness) was named for Marah in Exodus 15:22–25, which was said to be named for the bitter water there.
Except for the isolated range of Marah gilensis (Gila manroot) in west-central Arizona and island populations (M. macrocarpus var. major), all manroot species inhabit overlapping ranges distributed from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico. Although Marah oreganus (coastal manroot) extends inland into Idaho, all other manroot species except M. gilensis are confined to areas within 300 km of the Pacific Ocean coast.
Marah es un género con 14 especies de plantas con flores perteneciente a la familia Cucurbitaceae. Es nativo del oeste de América del Norte.
Son plantas perennes, con una gran raíz tuberosa. La mayoría tienen sólidos y peludos tallos, con zarcillos espirales que les permiten subir a otras plantas, y que también puede crecer rápidamente en el suelo. Sus hojas suelen tener múltiples lóbulos, hasta 7 en algunas especies. Los frutos son llamativos y fácilmente reconocibles. Son grandes y esféricos, ovales o cilíndricos. Como mínimo tienen 3 cm de diámetro, pero puede ser de hasta 20 cm de largo, y, en muchas especies con largas espinas. Tanto la forma de la hoja y el fruto varían mucho entre las distintas plantas y las hojas pueden ser especialmente variable, incluso en la misma vid.
Marah es un género con 14 especies de plantas con flores perteneciente a la familia Cucurbitaceae. Es nativo del oeste de América del Norte.
Son plantas perennes, con una gran raíz tuberosa. La mayoría tienen sólidos y peludos tallos, con zarcillos espirales que les permiten subir a otras plantas, y que también puede crecer rápidamente en el suelo. Sus hojas suelen tener múltiples lóbulos, hasta 7 en algunas especies. Los frutos son llamativos y fácilmente reconocibles. Son grandes y esféricos, ovales o cilíndricos. Como mínimo tienen 3 cm de diámetro, pero puede ser de hasta 20 cm de largo, y, en muchas especies con largas espinas. Tanto la forma de la hoja y el fruto varían mucho entre las distintas plantas y las hojas pueden ser especialmente variable, incluso en la misma vid.
Marah Kellogg è un genere di piante della famiglia delle Cucurbitacee.[1]
Comprende le seguenti specie:[1]
Marah Kellogg è un genere di piante della famiglia delle Cucurbitacee.
Marah é um género botânico pertencente à família Cucurbitaceae.[1][2]
Marah é um género botânico pertencente à família Cucurbitaceae.
Marah là một chi thực vật có hoa trong họ Cucurbitaceae.[1]
Chi Marah gồm các loài:
Marah là một chi thực vật có hoa trong họ Cucurbitaceae.
