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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Cucurbita foetidissima is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
C. perennis.
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Oil Root Seed
Edible Uses: Oil
Fruit - cooked[105]. Used as a vegetable, it can also be dried for later use[161, 183]. The young fruit is used, it is bitter and becomes more bitter as it gets older[183]. One report says that the fruit contains up to 23% protein[213], though this would be very unusual in a fruit[K]. The fruit is up to 7cm in diameter[200]. Seed - raw or cooked[46, 61, 86, 92, 94]. The seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a thickening in soups or can be mixed with cereal flours when making cakes and biscuits[183, 257]. Rich in oil with a very pleasant nutty flavour, but very fiddly to use because the seed is small and covered with a fibrous coat[K]. The seed contains 30 - 35% protein and 34% oil[183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[183]. Root - the source of a starch that is used as a sweetener, stabilizer or for making puddings like tapioca[183]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[207]. The flowers are said to be edible after preparation[183] but no more details are given.
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.
Laxative Poultice Vermifuge
Buffalo gourd was employed medicinally by many native North American tribes who used it particularly in the treatment of skin complaints[257]. It is still employed in modern herbalism as a safe and effective vermicide[238]. The leaves, stems and roots are laxative and poultice[46, 61, 92, 94]. The root is used mainly, but some caution is advised because of a report that it can be poisonous[207]. A poultice of the mashed plant has been used to treat skin sores, ulcers etc[257]. The seeds are vermifuge[7, 88]. The complete seed, together with the husk, is used. This is ground into a fine flour, then made into an emulsion with water and eaten. It is then necessary to take a purgative afterwards in order to expel the tapeworms or other parasites from the body[7]. As a remedy for internal parasites, the seeds are less potent than the root of Dryopteris felix-mas, but they are safer for pregnant women, debilitated patients and children[238].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Darning ball Musical Oil Soap Starch
The fruit is used as a soap substitute[94, 95, 169]. The fruit is cut up and simmered in water to obtain the soap which can be used for removing stains[92]. The fruit can also be dried and stored for later use[92]. It is often used with the root which is also a soap substitute[92]. The soap is said to be effective in removing stains from clothing[257]. The dried fruits have a tough, thick skin. They can be used whole as rattles or can be carved to make ladles, spoons etc[94, 95, 257]. The root is a rich source of starch[177]. (Industrial uses?)
Special Uses
Carbon Farming
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Management: Standard New Crop Staple Crop: Protein-oil
Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a very warm, sunny and sheltered position[1, 200]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[117]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it is usually grown as an annual in temperate climates[200]. The roots can survive temperatures down to about -25°c[160]. Does not hybridize naturally with other members of this genus though crosses have been made under controlled conditions[86].
Carbon Farming
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Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
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New Crop
Most new crops were important wild plants until recently, although some are the result of hybridization. They have been developed in the last few, decades. What they have in common is that they are currently cultivated by farmers. Examples include baobab, argan, and buffalo gourd.
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Staple Crop: Protein-oil
(16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse in a rich soil. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per pot and thin out to the best plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts, giving them cloche or frame protection for at least their first few weeks if you are trying them outdoors.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Missouri gourd, Prairie gourd, Calabazilla, Wild Pumpkin, buffalo gourd, chilicote, coyote gourd, fetid gourd, fetid wild pumpkin, stinking gourd, wild gourd, and wild pumpkin.
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Native to North America in the central and southwestern United States: Arizona; Arkansas; southern California; Colorado; Kansas; Missouri; southern Nebraska; southern Nevada, New Mexico; Oklahoma; Texas; and southern Utah - and Mexico - Aguascalientes; Chihuahua; Coahuila; Guanajuato; Guerrero; Hidalgo; northern Jalisco; Mexico; Nuevo León; Querétaro; San Luis Potosí; Sonora; Tamaulipas; and Zacatecas. Also found in Australia, Central America and China.
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.
This plant can be weedy or invasive.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Abobra tenuifolia | Cranberry Gourd | Perennial Climber | 3.5 |
8-11
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Acanthosicyos horridus | Naras. Butterpips | Perennial | 1.0 |
9-11
| F | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Benincasa hispida | Wax Gourd | Annual | 6.0 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Bryonia alba | White Bryony | Perennial Climber | 4.0 |
5-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Bryonia dioica | Red Bryony, Cretan bryony | Perennial Climber | 3.5 |
5-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | |
| Citrullus colocynthis | Perennial egusi, Bitter-apple | Perennial | 3.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Citrullus lanatus | Water Melon | Annual | 0.5 |
8-11
| | LM | N | DM | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Coccinia grandis | Ivy Gourd | Perennial | 3.0 |
8-11
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Cucumis anguria | Gherkin, West Indian gherkin | Annual Climber | 2.4 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Cucumis melo | Melon, Cantaloupe | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Cucumis melo agrestis | Wild Melon | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 2 | |
| Cucumis melo cantalupensis | Cantaloupe Melon | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | |
| Cucumis melo chito | Orange Melon | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 2 | |
| Cucumis melo conomon | Pickling Melon | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | |
| Cucumis melo flexuosus | Serpent Melon | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | |
| Cucumis melo inodorus | Honeydew Melon | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | |
| Cucumis melo momordica | Snap Melon | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | |
| Cucumis metuliferus | Horned Cucumber, African horned cucumber | Annual Climber | 1.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Cucumis sativus | Cucumber, Garden cucumber | Annual Climber | 2.0 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Cucurbita argyrosperma | Cushaw Pumpkin | Annual Climber | 0.5 |
2-11
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Cucurbita digitata | Coyote Gourd | Perennial | 5.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Cucurbita ficifolia | Malabar Gourd, Figleaf gourd | Perennial Climber | 0.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | SN | MWe | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Cucurbita maxima | Winter Squash | Annual Climber | 0.6 |
2-11
| F | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Cucurbita moschata | Squash, Crookneck squash | Annual Climber | 0.6 |
2-11
| F | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Cucurbita pepo | Pumpkin, Field pumpkin, Ozark melon, Texas gourd | Annual Climber | 0.6 |
2-11
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Cyclanthera brachystachya | Cuchinito | Annual | 3.0 |
9-11
| | LMH | S | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Cyclanthera pedata | Achocha, Caihua, Caygua, Cayua, Korila, Wild Cucumber | Annual | 4.5 |
9-11
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Ecballium elaterium | Squirting Cucumber | Perennial | 0.3 |
8-11
| | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 2 | |
| Echinocystis lobata | Wild Cucumber | Annual | 8.0 |
0-0
| F | LMH | N | M | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
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.
Expert comment
Author
Kunth.
Botanical References
43200274
Links / References
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