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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Echinocystis lobata is a ANNUAL growing to 8 m (26ft 3in) at a fast rate.
It is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from July to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Sicyos lobata.
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic Aphrodisiac Poultice Tonic
The pulverized root is used as a poultice for headaches[61, 222]. A very bitter tea brewed from the roots is analgesic and is also used as a love potion[61, 207, 222]. It is used as a bitter tonic for alleviating stomach troubles, kidney ailments, rheumatism, chills, fevers etc[61, 222, 257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Beads
The seeds have been used as beads[257].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained rich soil with abundant moisture[1, 175]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[175]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils[219].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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The PFAF Bookshop
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Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse, placing 2 - 3 seeds in each pot. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 2 weeks at 20°c. Thin the seedlings to the best plant in each pot, grow them on fast and plant them out after the last expected frosts[175]. Give the plants some protection, such as a cloche, until they are growing away well.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Michx.)Torr.&A.Gray.
Botanical References
43235
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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