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Joe Pelonio
07-01-2007, 10:34 PM
Does anyone know what this is? The "fruit" looks a bit like a small watermelon, 2-3" long and 1.5" wide. Inside is yellowish white, soft with immature seeds.

The leaves to the right of the fruit are the vine, as are the curly tendrils.

My wife and I did a 4 mile hike from a lake in Fall City WA to a viewpoint below Snoqualmie Falls. Among the other plants and trees, and even a bear that we saw, there were these growing in several places along the trail. I took the picture with my phone, unfortunately the bear was too fast for me to catch with it.

We'd love to know what it is.
http://members.aol.com/pelonio/oddvine/jpeg

http://members.aol.com/pelonio/vine.jpg

Joe Pelonio
07-01-2007, 10:50 PM
Sorry, couldn't add the pic, here it is:

Leigh Costello
07-01-2007, 11:41 PM
Hi, Joe,

It looks like a wild cucumber to me. Check this website and see if it matches what you saw.

And watch out for bears.

http://ghs.gresham.k12.or.us/science/ps/nature/gorge/5petal/cuke/marah.htm

Joe Pelonio
07-02-2007, 7:57 AM
That's it Leigh, thanks. I'm glad we didn't try eating it since it is poisonous.

Cliff Rohrabacher
07-02-2007, 9:18 AM
Saponin glycosides can be very dangerous.

Leigh Costello
07-03-2007, 12:44 PM
Your welcome, Joe. Hubby always asks why I have these plant books around the house. We live in the middle of an Ozark wonderland filled with such wonderful vegetation. I like to know what will kill me, what I can kill and what is just plain purty. Happy hiking!