Buffalo Gourd. Cucurbita foetidissima, Gourd Family: ( Cucurbitaceae ), Buffalo Gourd. Also called: Wild Pumpkin, Wild Gourd, Missouri Gourd, Fetid, Fetid Gourd, Coyote Gourel, Chilicote, Calabazilla. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Buffalo gourd and is native to the southwest, it�s often recognized by its sour odor and bitter tasting gourds. Despite its odor, various Native American and Mexican tribes have used buffalo gourd for at least ten thousand years. It has been used traditionally in various ways as a food, cosmetic, detergent, insecticide, and as a ritualistic rattle. The root can descend 4 to 6 feet deep and weigh more than 100 pounds. A root weighing 178 pounds has been recorded! Coarse, trailing perennial vine normally to 18 foot in spread. This is a night blooming plant and it does stay open until mid morning. Great Xeriscape Plant! Quick Notes: Height: About 3 - 6 feet spread. Under moist monsoon rain conditions the vine can grow to 18 foot in spread. Flowers: Yellow 4 inches in diameter colored flowers that are funnel-shaped, with 5 petal lobes. Flowering Time: July to September. Fruit: The fruit is a 3-4 inch round gourd with yellow and green stripes. Leaves: Rough textured triangular leaves that are longer than they are broad. Found: Native to North America. Hardiness: USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) 8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Elevation: 500 - 6,500 Feet. Habitat: On cultivated, waste and fallow land, roadsides, yards, and other disturbed areas. Dry flats and slopes. In cities and towns also. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken: Wilhoit, Arizona. July 24, 2008. Early Morning, About 7:00 AM to get flower photos.

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