Cucurbita foetidissima (buffalo gourd, calabazilla, chilicote, coyote gourd, fetid gourd, Missouri gourd, stinking gourd, wild gourd, wild pumpkin) is a xerophytic tuberous plant found in the southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico. A member of the cucumber family, the fruit is consumed by humans and non-human animals both. The fruit can be eaten cooked like a squash when very young. As the fruit becomes fully mature, it is too bitter for humans to eat. At this stage, the fruit is used by natives for decorative purposes or in making musical instruments, particularly rattles. The seeds are the source of buffalo gourd oil. It grows fast (including a massive underground tuber) with little water, and some have proposed growing it for fuel or biofuel ethanol
Buffalo Gourd Care
Cucurbita Foetidissima
humidity
Normal
lighting
Full Sun
hardiness zone
9 - 11
difficulty
Medium
hibernation
Cold Period
toxicity
Poisonous
How to Care for the Plant
Water
It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Pruning
The sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo. There is a report that the root is poisonous
Sunlight
Requires a very warm, sunny and sheltered position
Soil
Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil
Temperature
It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 5 - 35°c. The stems are frost-sensitive, being killed by temperatures below 0°c - the roots, however, are much more cold tolerant, and can survive winter temperatures as low as -25°c
Popularity
186 people already have this plant 38 people have added this plant to their wishlists
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