Tumamoc Globeberry / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Tumamoc Globeberry (Tumamoca macdougalii)

One of the pistillate flowers of Tumamoca macdougallii, with five long, white petals, a pistil, and no stamen. Photo Credit: Lynda Pritchett-Kozak
  • Global Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Cucurbitaceae
  • State: AZ, MX, SI
  • Nature Serve ID: 157181
  • Lifeform: Vine, Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/14/1986
Description:

This desert-growing perennial vine is a member of the gourd family, with a tuberous root and foliage that is made up of climbing tendrils. When the foliage of this plant is touched, a fetid smell is given off. Flowers are a greenish-yellow and separated by gender. Male flowers outnumber female flowers. When the small fruits reach maturity, they are red and resemble tiny watermelons. Birds relish the fruits and seek them out even in cultivation.

Where is Tumamoc Globeberry (Tumamoca macdougalii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Plants are found along washes and arroyos below 3,000 ft. elevation in shade of supporting shrubs (USFWS 1986). They are exceptionally difficult to locate, even during active growth, as the foliage intermingles with neighboring species (USFWS 1986). When dormant, they are almost impossible to locate.

Distribution:

Distribution is widely scattered. Land ownership is private, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Saguaro and Organpipe National Monument, and Coronado National Forest (USFWS 1986, 1992)

States & Provinces:

Tumamoc Globeberry can be found in Arizona, Mexico, Sonora

Which CPC Partners conserve Tumamoc Globeberry (Tumamoca macdougalii)?

  • Desert Botanical Garden

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add
    Donor Acknowledgment - In the Works
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    Center for Plant Conservation
    • 08/20/2021
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    In 2021, CPC contracted Desert Botanical Garden to recollect seed from a population currently held in long term orthodox seed storage as part of an IMLS-funded seed longevity experiment. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation will evaluate how germination tested viability and RNA Integrity of seed lots decline over time in storage.

    • 10/01/2020
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    Continue to collect seeds that represent the genetic diversity of the species for ex situ storage.

    • 10/01/2020
      • Propagation Research

    Desert Botanical Garden has only 47 field-collected seeds, and 9 plants from seed in cultivation. These nine plants have produced 68 seeds over the course of 10 years. Plants flower profusely. but evidently are not pollinated readily. Hand pollination does not appear to enhance fruiting. The plants do not appear to tolerate transplanting, or disturbance to roots. Plans are in effect to enhance the seed collection through field collections and improved hand pollination techniques on cultivated plants.

    • 10/01/2020
      • Living Collection

    Desert Botanical Garden has only 47 field-collected seeds, and 9 plants from seed in cultivation.

    • 10/01/2020
      • Seed Collection

    Desert Botanical Garden has only 47 field-collected seeds, and 9 plants from seed in cultivation. These nine plants have produced 68 seeds over the course of 10 years. Plants flower profusely. but evidently are not pollinated readily. Hand pollination does not appear to enhance fruiting. The plants do not appear to tolerate transplanting, or disturbance to roots. Plans are in effect to enhance the seed collection through field collections and improved hand pollination techniques on cultivated plants.

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    In 1992 there were 78 known U.S. populations and many populations in Sonora, Mexico. In 1991 new surveys in Sonora, Mexico indicate this species to be much more common and widespread than previously thought.

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    Plants are threatened by urban expansion and associated pressures created by recreation and off-road vehicle use (USFWS 1986). Natural threats include predation by javelina which eat the tubers. In addition, farming and pesticide application are threats

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    There are 78 populations in Sonoran Desert scrub and Sinaloan Thornscrub, (southern Arizona to Sonora, Mexico). Because of its wide range, non-specific habitat requirements and known populations, this species was delisted in 1993 (USFWS 1993).

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    Desert Botanical Garden has only 47 field-collected seeds, and 9 plants from seed in cultivation. These nine plants have produced 68 seeds over the course of 10 years. Plants flower profusely. but evidently are not pollinated readily. Hand pollination does not appear to enhance fruiting. The plants do not appear to tolerate transplanting, or disturbance to roots. Plans are in effect to enhance the seed collection through field collections and improved hand pollination techniques on cultivated plants.

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    As land ownership varies, current management practices vary. Plants are being monitored on the Tohono O'odham Nation land. Population monitoring has been consistent up until the mid 1990's when this species was delisted (Reichenbacher 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, Toolin 1992, USFWS 1993).

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    There is a critical need for pollination biological studies, additional surveys, investigation into population demographics and vegetation associations, and germination and establishment requirements. Plants are found in desert grassland areas that may receive periodic fires. Studies related to fire need to be conducted. Seeds germinate readily, but establishment during the early stages is poor.

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    Continue to collect seeds that represent the genetic diversity of the species for ex situ storage.

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Tumamoca macdougalii
    Authority Rose
    Family Cucurbitaceae
    CPC Number 4354
    ITIS 22424
    USDA TUMA
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Tumamoc globe-berry | Tumamoc globeberry
    Associated Scientific Names Tumamoca macdougalii
    Distribution Distribution is widely scattered. Land ownership is private, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Saguaro and Organpipe National Monument, and Coronado National Forest (USFWS 1986, 1992)
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Arizona S3
    Mexico *FR83
    Sonora
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    One of the pistillate flowers of Tumamoca macdougallii, with five long, white petals, a pistil, and no stamen. Photo Credit: Lynda Pritchett-Kozak
    Pollinators
    Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
    Butterflies & Moths
    moth Confirmed Pollinator Link

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