Marah are flowering plants in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to western North America. The genus was named for Marah in Exodus 15:22–25, which was said to be named for the bitter water there.

The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera. Those most important to humans are the following:Cucurbita – squash, pumpkin, zucchini or courgette, some gourds Lagenaria – calabash, and others that are inedible Citrullus – watermelon and others Cucumis – cucumber, various melons and vines Momordica – bitter melon Luffa – the common name is also luffa, sometimes spelled loofah Cyclanthera – Caigua