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Balsam Gourd

Ibervillea lindheimeri

Other common name(s):

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

Family:

Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies
Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

6
to
20
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Saline

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nectar, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

The plant will set more fruit in a sunnier setting. Climbs by tendrils so will need a shrub or trellis to clamber up. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Blooms April-September. The leaves and small yellow flowers of the balsam-gourd vine are attractive, but the ornamental value of this plant lies in its 1-2 inch, bright red, globular fruit. Light tolerance makes balsam-gourd a versatile plant for shade gardens.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Ibervillea tenella, Ibervillea tripartita

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=IBLI. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=8152&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=22382#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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