Plant Image
Flower
Watson Lake - Sue Smith


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Cucurbita foetidissima - Missouri gourd

Synonyms: Cucumis perennis, Pepo foetidissima
Other Common Names: buffalo gourd, calabazilla, wild gourd, wild pumpkin
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Cucurbitaceae


   
 
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Fruit (gourd)
Watson Lake
Sue Smith
Flower and fruit
Willow Lake
Sue Smith
Leaf
Watson Lake
Sue Smith
Leaves
Watson Lake
Sue Smith
Plant - summer
Watson Lake
Sue Smith
Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native   Life Cycle: Perennial   Similar Species: Cucurbita palmata
General Desc: Prostrate perennial up to 20 feet in length, with huge taproots and foul-smelling leaves. Yellow flowers open very early in the day.
Identification notes: Strong-smelling perennial vine; large, tuberous root; stems coarse, radiate, forming dense cover; leaves alternate along the stems pointing upward, on thick rough petioles; blades triangular, smaller at stem tips; large yellow flowers.
Height: Trailing to 20 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Sandy soils and disturbed areas.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 3500 - 7000 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Yellow     Shape: Regular not in clusters     Tubular: Y     Flowering Period: May - Aug
Description: Yellow flowers are funnel-shaped to 4 inches long, 5-lobed at the opening, with stamens that have large anthers deep inside the throat.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Grayish-green     Leaf Type: Simple     Leaf Shape: Triangular     Leaf Margin: Toothed     Leaf Attachment: Alternate     Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Leaves and stems     Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves are whitish underneath, triangular and up to 1 foot in length.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Yellow   
Fruit Notes: Smooth, round, green with white stripes, 4 inch gourd that turns yellow when mature.
Seed Notes: Seeds are white to tan and similar to pumpkin seeds.

  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Version 8.0  
http://yavapaiplants.extension.arizona.edu/SpeciesDetailForb.php  
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
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