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Marcus, Joseph A.

Ibervillea lindheimeri

Ibervillea lindheimeri (A. Gray) Greene

Balsam Gourd, Lindheimer's Globeberry, Globe Berry, Snake-apple, Balsam-apple

Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber Family)

Synonym(s): Ibervillea tenella, Ibervillea tripartita

USDA Symbol: ibli

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This gourd has tubular flowers with 5 spreading lobes, creamy-yellow, about 1/2 inch wide. Leaves are 1 1/2-3 1/4 inches long with 3-5 lobes, deeply cut and fine-toothed. The fruit is over 1 inch in diameter, with green stripes when young, but bright red when ripe. Before maturing it has a spiny-looking green covering which it sheds as it develops. The vine climbs 6-10 feet high by means of tendrils.

This species is named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879) who is often called the Father of Texas Botany because of his work as the first permanent-resident plant collector in Texas. Lindheimer immigrated to the United States in 1834 as a political refugee. He spent from 1843-1852 collecting specimens in Texas. He settled in New Braunfels, Texas in 1844 and was granted land on the banks of the Comal River, where he continued his plant collecting and attempted to establish a botanical garden. He shared his findings with many others who shared his interest in botany, including Ferdinand von Roemer and Adolph Scheele. Lindheimer is credited with the discovery of several hundred plant species. In addition his name is used to designate forty-eight species and subspecies of plants. He is buried in New Braunfels. His house, on Comal Street in New Braunfels, is now a museum.

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