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Summary

Loco or coyote melon (Apodanthera undulata) is a low, sprawling perennial vine of the gourd family, native to the deserts and floodplains of the American Southwest and northern Mexico. It is recognized by its rough, wavy-lobed leaves, tendrils, bright yellow flowers, and distinctive hard-shelled, ridged fruits that mature in autumn. Although some Native American groups reportedly consumed the fruits and seeds during famines, most accounts describe the gourds as intensely bitter and potentially toxic, with seed oil considered inedible. For this reason, the plant is generally regarded as unsafe for human consumption. Ecologically, loco melon is well adapted to hot, dry environments, appearing after summer rains and persisting through drought, with insect-pollinated flowers and fruits that disperse seeds passively. While it does not have significant non-food uses, its fruits may serve ornamentally, and the plant contributes to desert biodiversity without becoming invasive. Overall, loco melon is best valued as a distinctive desert species rather than as a food resource.

Physical Characteristics

Apodanthera undulata is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 2 m (6ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

None

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Loco or coyote melon has a long but uncertain reputation as a famine food. Some ethnobotanical accounts record that Native Americans consumed the fruits and seeds during times of scarcity, yet other sources warn that the seeds’ oil is inedible and potentially toxic. The fruits are consistently described as intensely bitter, and both fruits and seeds may contain harmful compounds similar to those found in wild gourds (Cucurbita spp.). Based on these warnings, consumption of any part is not recommended unless a safe preparation method can be reliably verified. Unlike true gourds, loco melon fruits are ridged rather than smooth, and while they superficially resemble edible cucurbits, their toxicity risk is high. Foragers should treat this plant with caution and avoid eating its fruits or seeds [2-3].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None Known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

No significant traditional or modern non-food uses are recorded beyond possible experimental oil extraction from the seeds, though this was found unsuitable for human consumption. The hard-shelled fruits could potentially be used ornamentally or as small containers, but this was not a widespread practice. Loco melon plays an important role in desert ecosystems. Its sprawling vines help stabilize sandy or disturbed soils, while its tough gourds act as seed banks, protecting seeds from desiccation until rains arrive. Wildlife interactions are limited due to the fruit’s bitterness, but some small mammals may gnaw on the gourds to reach the seeds. The flowers, like many in the Cucurbitaceae family, attract native bees and other pollinators, providing nectar during summer bloom. Overall, while not a major food source, it contributes to desert biodiversity and resilience in arid habitats.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Habitat & Growing Conditions: Loco melon grows in deserts, floodplains, dry fields, and disturbed ground, preferring sandy or well-drained soils in hot, arid environments. It sprawls low to the ground, often climbing over other vegetation with the help of tendrils. It thrives in full sun and is well adapted to drought conditions of the American Southwest (Arizona to Texas) and northern Mexico. Growth & Ecology: A low, ill-scented perennial vine, it blooms in summer with bright yellow flowers and produces its distinctive hard-shelled gourds in autumn. It often grows in scattered populations but is locally common in suitable desert habitats. Its ridged fruits and free corolla lobes distinguish it from related gourds (Cucurbita). Pollination & Dispersal: Flowers are unisexual and insect-pollinated, most likely by bees and beetles that visit the large yellow blooms. Fruits develop into hard, ridged gourds, which may persist for months. Seed dispersal is largely gravity-based or aided by animals disturbing the dry fruits. Likely hardy to USDA zones 8–11, tolerating heat and drought but killed by frost.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Loco or Coyote Melon

Native Range

Arizona, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, New Mexico, Texas

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

It is persistent in its native desert habitats but not strongly invasive outside them. In suitable disturbed soils, it can become weedy and locally dominant, but it rarely spreads beyond arid environments.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Apodanthera undulata - A.Gray