Apodanthera undulata

Melon loco
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Apodanthera
Species:
A. undulata
Binomial name
Apodanthera undulata

Apodanthera undulata, common name melon loco, is a plant species native to the south-western United States (western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona) and in Mexico as far south as Oaxaca.[1][2]

Apodanthera undulata is a monoecious, foul-smelling, perennial vine with a massive taproot up to 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter. Stems are prostrate, running along the ground up to 2.4 m (8 feet), sometimes climbing with tendrils. Leaves are round to kidney-shaped, up to 15 cm (6 inches) across, decidedly wavy. Flowers are yellow, trumpet-shaped. Fruits are egg-shaped with ridges running lengthwise, up to 10 cm (4 inches) long.[1][3][4][5][6]

References

  1. ^ a b McVaugh, R. 2001. Cucurbitaceae. 3: 483–652. In R. McVaugh (ed.) Flora Novo-Galiciana. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
  2. ^ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin, Native Plant Database
  3. ^ Gray, Asa. 1853. Plantae Wrightianae, Texano-Neo-Mexicanae, part II. Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge 5(6):1-119.
  4. ^ Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas i–xv, 1–1881. The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson.
  5. ^ Lira Saade, R. 2001. Familia Cucurbitaceae. 92: 1–120. In J. Rzedowski & G. Calderón de Rzedowski (eds.) Flora del Bajío. Instituto de Ecología A.C., Pátzcuaro.
  6. ^ Shreve, F. & I. L. Wiggins. 1964. Vegetation and Flora of the Sonoran Desert. 2 vols. Stanford University Press, Stanford.