Only one species of this family is native to Manitoba (Echinocystis lobata). Annual climbing plants with alternate simple and palmately shaped leaves. The flowers are unisexual; male flowers in panicles; female flowers (1 or 2) in axils of leaves. The fruit, a pepo (large, ovoid fleshy berry with a thick skin), is pale green and covered with wak spines.
Genera found in Manitoba:
Echinocystis Thaladiantha