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Echinocystis lobata (Michaux) Torrey & A. Gray. Common name: Wild Balsam-apple, Wild-cucumber. Phenology: May-Oct. Habitat: Bottomland forests and thickets. Distribution: NB west to SK, south to nw. NC, GA (?), OK, and NM.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Can, F, FNA6, G, GrPl, GW2, Il, K4, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, Tat, Tx, Va, W, WV; = Micrampelis lobata (Michx.) Greene — S. Basionym: Sicyos lobatus Michx. 1803

Links to other floras: = Echinocystis lobata - FNA6

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
  • Great Plains: FAC
  • Midwest: FACW
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACW

Heliophily ⓘ: 5

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image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: A vining annual of bottomland forests and thickets

Stems: Stems angular, smooth, with 3-forked tendrils arising from leaf axils that entwine surrounding vegetation.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, round in overall outline, to 7 in. wide, palmately 3- to 7-lobed, rough on upper surface.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Male and female flowers separate, white to cream, 1/2 in. wide, with 6 long-tapering, fringed petals. Male flowers in 4- to 8-in.-long erect racemes arising opposite the leaves and with a short column of pale-yellow-tipped stamens in the center; 1 to a few short-stalked female flowers sit at the base of the male flower cluster and consist of a short, blunt stigma and bloated, spiny ovary beneath the petals.

Fruits: Fruit a spiny, oval pod.

Comments:

Height: 2-10 ft. (long)

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: A vining annual of bottomland forests and thickets

stems: Stems angular, smooth, with 3-forked tendrils arising from leaf axils that entwine surrounding vegetation.

leaves: Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, round in overall outline, to 7 in. wide, palmately 3- to 7-lobed, rough on upper surface.

inflorescence:

flowers: Male and female flowers separate, white to cream, 1/2 in. wide, with 6 long-tapering, fringed petals. Male flowers in 4- to 8-in.-long erect racemes arising opposite the leaves and with a short column of pale-yellow-tipped stamens in the center; 1 to a few short-stalked female flowers sit at the base of the male flower cluster and consist of a short, blunt stigma and bloated, spiny ovary beneath the petals.

fruits: Fruit a spiny, oval pod.

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cultural notes:

germination code:

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