What is this very nasty weed? (pics)

14 years ago

Hello all,

I was scoping out my field yesterday and ran across this VERY disgusting weed. I'm hoping someone can tell me what it is, as after many a Google search I am at a loss.

I have never seen it before this year on my property.

It has nasty, sticky leaves and branches, which are covered in dead black bugs (I'm assuming they had the misfortune to land on the plant).

The leaves are similar in shape to a pumpkin plant, but slightly smaller and are much thicker in texture. The fruit are she shape of a crookneck squash; however where the bud would be on a squash is where this plant attaches to the stalk. The consistency of the fruit is similar to a pickling cucumber. They are turning yellow

It has yellow flowers that look like closely blooming foxglove.

The plant smells like a mixture between skunk and rotten eggs.

The deer, gophers, ground squirrels, etc do not touch it, so I'm assuming it is very toxic.

I live in Walnut Creek, CA in the East San Francisco Bay Area. The plant gets absolutely no water and is growing in a flat, full sun location. It has no competition from other weeds, as the field was recently tilled.

Thank you so much for any help!!!

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Comments (6)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
14 years ago
It's got a bad infestation of aphids or dying of thirst, or maybe has a borer. Looks like a food plant, like pumpkin, cantaloupe. I don't know which with the deformed leaves.
TruNorth7
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for your message purple,
The leaves aren't wilted. They are reflexed normally. Its not a food crop I've ever seen... and if it were edible I think the deer would have had at it by now.

Here's a picture of the fruit:
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
14 years ago
These kinds of plants can cross-breed, producing unrecognizable fruits. That plant has a severe case of some kind of bugs, deforming the leaves and possibly the fruit (which looks squash-y.)
TruNorth7
Original Author
14 years ago
I found out that it is Yellow Devils Claw. It is considered "pre-carnivorous" as it excretes sap to trap and kill insects, but doesn't have a mechanism by which to "eat" them. It has a a gross odor to attract said insects. The leaf shape and condition are "normal" for the plant. Yellow Devil's Claw is native to South America (Brazil) and considered a noxious pest in my area. I dug them all up; thankfully the fruit hadn't matured and spread the seeds yet!
Amazing how these things can travel!

Thanks again!
lisanti07028
14 years ago
What a weird and creepy plant, and how cool that you got to see it.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
14 years ago
I think you are right. Good job ignoring my wrong suggestion and continuing to investigate!

http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6429175