# Chilicothe (*Marah macrocarpa*) Chilicothe is a fun plant that grows long, twisting vines and big leaves. It loves to climb on other plants and can be found in sunny places. Its unique shape makes it look like it's having a party! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Wild Cucumber ![Chilicothe](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Marah_macrocarpa_pistillate_flower_2004-03-10.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Curtis Clark assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marah_macrocarpa_pistillate_flower_2004-03-10.jpg) ## Appearance The Chilicothe is a vigorous vine with large, deeply lobed, maple-like green leaves. It produces small, delicate creamy-white flowers and distinctive large, round, spiky green fruits that resemble a medieval weapon or a small sea mine. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Cucurbitales - **Family:** Cucurbitaceae - **Genus:** Marah ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, wild cucumber, it's not safe to eat like a regular cucumber. - It can grow incredibly fast after winter rains, covering fences in just weeks! - Its underground root can weigh as much as a small refrigerator! - The fruit pops open when ripe, scattering its large seeds with a surprise! ## Special abilities - **Giant Root Storage:** Chilicothe has a massive tuberous root that stores water and nutrients, helping it survive long, dry periods. - **Climbing Champion:** Chilicothe can quickly climb high using spiraling tendrils, helping it reach sunlight in dense vegetation. - **Spiky Defense:** Its fruits are covered in sharp spines that deter animals from easily eating the seeds inside. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 300-1000 cm - **Spread:** 200-500 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Early spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits its small white flowers for nectar. - **Pollinates:** [Yellow-faced bumble bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-faced-bumble-bee) (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — An important native pollinator of its early spring blooms. - **Eaten by:** [Mule deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — May browse leaves, especially when other forage is scarce. ## Traits - [Climbing/Vine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/climbing-vine): Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots. - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't eat any part of the plant, as it can be harmful. Just enjoy looking at it! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Chilicothe? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Chilicothe? 300-1000 cm ### How wide does Chilicothe spread? 200-500 cm ### How big are the flowers on Chilicothe? 1-2.5 cm ### When does Chilicothe bloom? Early spring ### Is Chilicothe edible? No ### Is Chilicothe toxic? Moderate ### What is Chilicothe's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Crystal Cove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crystal-cove-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Golden Hill](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/golden-hill) — California, US · Neighborhood - [San Elijo Lagoon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-elijo-lagoon) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Tecate Peak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tecate-peak) — California, US · Natural Landmark - [Shambala Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shambala-preserve) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Chilicothe](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/chilicothe) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Chilicothe: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chilicothe)