Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

DONATE TODAY

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
2 ratings

Friday - May 02, 2008

From: Honolulu, HI
Region: Hawaii
Topic: Vines
Title: Identification of vine with white flower and \
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have a vine intruding from my neighbors yard that has small white blooms on them (similar to morning glories) and on the stem of the flower below the bloom, a "tiny watermelon" is growing..... It is green with light stripes. I was wondering if anyone knew what the name of it was? And if so, are the 'watermelons' fit to eat? Thanks so much in advance

ANSWER:

Your description of the fruit sounds like something in the Family Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber Family). Here is a list of members of that family that have been reported in Hawaii. Take a look at Coccinea grandis, especially these images that occur on Google.  According to this website the fruit of C. grandis is used in curries and other Indian dishes. If you don't see the plant you describe in any of these pictures, send us a photo and we'll try to identify it from its image. The instructions for submitting photos can be found on the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page in the lower right corner under "Plant Identification."

 
 

More Vines Questions

Native vine for California deck
November 24, 2009 - Can you recommend a native California vine to grow on our deck to cover a trellis under a deck? There is a canopy of live coast oak above the deck so there is bright, filtered light. Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Evergreen flowering vine for wall in Tampa FL
May 06, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Tampa Florida and am looking for a non toxic, evergreen, profusely flowering vine to cover a wall. It needs to be cold hardy to approx. 20F. Thanks for your help
view the full question and answer

Recognizing poison ivy
June 20, 2007 - I am having a difficult time identifying poison ivy. It seems so many plants look like poison ivy can you help me I don't want to kill everything but on the same hand I don't want to itch. Thanks f...
view the full question and answer

Climbing vines for partial shade in North Texas
June 12, 2014 - I've read your recommendations for climbing vines in partial-shade, but requestor was from Central Texas (Austin-area). Would those recommendations hold true for North Texas (DFW area)?
view the full question and answer

Identification of vine with gourd-like fruit
June 30, 2010 - We live on a farm, and I have noticed a vine that has leaves like grapes, but produces this flower, and a fruit that is rather large, shaped like a gourd, right now green in color. It is growing over ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.