Ibervillea lindheimeri
| Ibervillea lindheimeri | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus: | Ibervillea |
| Species: | I. lindheimeri |
| Binomial name | |
| Ibervillea lindheimeri | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Ibervillea lindheimeri, commonly called snake apple, balsam gourd, Rio Grande globeberry, or Lindheimer's globeberry[3][4] is a species of flowering plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae.
Description
Ibervillea lindheimeri is a perennial, deciduous vining plant with alternate leaves that grows up to 10 feet. The leaves have 3 to 5 lobes which are deeply cut and finely toothed and are 1.5 to 3.5 inches in diameter.[4]
The yellow flowers typically bloom between April-September and have 5 deeply-cut and fine-toothed lobes. Flowers are about 0.5in across.[4]
It produces 20-30mm berry-like, orange-red fruits which contain densely hairy seeds [5]
Distribution and habitat
Ibervillea lindheimeri is native to Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico in the United States as well as Northern Mexico.[6][7] It grows best in sunnier environments and will produce greater quantity of fruits, but is able to grow well in partial shade. It is a climbing plant typically requiring something to climb with tendrils.[8]
Uses
Ibervillea lindheimeri has been cultivated for its attractive leaves and red fruits as both an indoor plant and for gardens. The flowers attract a variety of pollinating insects and birds feed on the fruits.
The fruits are not known to be poisonous, and as such are not referenced in any toxic plant databases however, they are also not edible by humans and likewise not listed in any edible plant databases.[9]
References
- ↑ NatureServe. "Ibervillea lindheimeri". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ibervillea lindheimeri (A.Gray) Greene". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ "Balsamgourd (Ibervillea lindheimeri) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov.
- 1 2 3 "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org.
- ↑ https://w3.biosci.utexas.edu/prc/K12/pages/Ibervillea%20lindheimeri.html.
- ↑ "Snake Apple".
- ↑ "USDA Plants Database". plants.sc.egov.usda.gov.
- ↑ "Ibervillea lindheimeri".
- ↑ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org.