Plant · GBIF taxon 2874534
snake apple
Ibervillea lindheimeriAlso known as Balsam Gourd, Rio Grande Globeberry, Lindheimer's Globeberry
Snake apple climbs thickets and fences across Texas and northern Mexico using coiling tendrils that stem from a massive underground tuber. In late summer, small yellow five-petaled flowers yield round, mottled green fruits that ripen into bright orange-red globes. Birds and small mammals disperse the seeds after feeding on ripe fruits, while the thick tuberous root allows the vine to survive prolonged dry spells.
VineWild FruitDrought Tolerant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Herbivorous Insects
- Browsing Mammals
ThreatsHabitat loss, agricultural clearing
HabitatsChaparral, rocky scrublands, stream banks, fence rows
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCucurbitaceae
- SpeciesIbervillea lindheimeri
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Fruits contain toxic cucurbitacins; wild berries have toxic look-alikes, so never ingest wild fruit.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains bitter cucurbitacins that cause severe gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and cramps if ingested.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Climbing vine with deeply lobed leaves, coiling tendrils, and bright orange-red spherical fruits.
- What to do
- Observe foliage and fruit from a distance; do not collect or ingest any part of the plant.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look for bright orange-red sphere-shaped fruits hanging from fence lines and shrubs in autumn.
- Safe Distances: Enjoy observing and photographing the colorful fruit, but leave all plant parts untouched.
Close Relative (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Alexis López Hernández, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis López Hernández · cc-by
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