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PUBLISHED IN: Nova Genera et Species Plantarum 2: 123. 1817. TYPE: Mexico, no date, Humboldt & Bonpland 4280 (P). (NY 172367). ETYMOLOGY: SYNONYMY: Cucumis perennis E. James, in S. H. Long's Exped. Rock. Mount. 2: 20. 1823. (NY 172360). INFRASPECIFIC TAXA: VERNACULAR NAME: buffalo gourd OTHER VERNACULAR NAMES: foetid gourd, stinking gourd, Missouri gourd CULTIVARS: DESCRIPTION: Perennial caudex or tap-root which may attain a weight of more than 88 lbs (40 kg) in three or four years. Vine growing along the ground. Leaves stiff coriaceous, usually triangular in outline, rough-textured anf typically malodorous. Flower bright yellow, about 4 inches (1dm) long, monoecious. Fruit gourd-like but not as hard as other wild Cucurbita species, spherical to elliptic, 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) long, green with light green or yellow stripes, the whole fruit turning yellow or tan with age. CHROMOSOME NUMBER: 2n = 40. DISTRIBUTION: Nebraska south to central Mexico and from southern California almost to the Mississippi River. ECOLOGY: Common along roadsides, railroad tracks, and edges of agricultural fields. EDIBLE USE: Seeds, at least in the past, were eaten by various Indian tribes throughout the U.S. Southwest and Mexico. They contain 35% protein and up to 43% oil. Roots contain as much as 56% starch by dry weight. MEDICINAL USE: OTHER USE: The green fruit and root used as a laundry detergent and dried fruit as a rattle. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: Research at the University of Arizona investigated making this a future crop on arid lands for people and livestock. CONSERVATION: CULTIVATION PRACTICES: SEEDS AVAILABLE FROM: LITERATURE: DeVeaux, J. S., and E. B. Shultz. 1985. Development of buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) as a semiaridland starch and oil crop. Econ. Bot. 39:454–472. INTERNET: |