How much sun does California manroot need?

California manroot grows best in full sun conditions.

When does California manroot bloom?

California manroot blooms in February, March, April, and May.

Where is California manroot native?

California manroot (Marah fabacea) is native to CA, NV, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does California manroot attract?

California manroot draws bees and flies.

California manroot

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Marah fabacea

Last reviewed: September 2026

California manroot (Marah fabacea) is a perennial vine native to CA, NV. It blooms in February, March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees and flies.

Toxicity unknown

California manroot (Marah fabacea) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

120"–360" H × 120"–240" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, NV

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A vigorous, fast-growing vine that sprawls or climbs by tendrils from a massive underground tuber, producing small white star-shaped flowers followed by spiny round fruit, then dying back completely each summer.

Growing California manroot

Grow California manroot in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 120 to 360 inches tall and spread 120 to 240 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Early-season flowers provide nectar for native bees; the large tuber and vine cover offer habitat structure, though its vigorous growth can overwhelm smaller neighbors.

Common questions

How much sun does California manroot need?: California manroot grows best in full sun conditions.
When does California manroot bloom?: California manroot blooms in February, March, April, and May.
Where is California manroot native?: California manroot (Marah fabacea) is native to CA, NV, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does California manroot attract?: California manroot draws bees and flies.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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