Buffalo Gourd

Species page

Buffalo Gourd

Cucurbita foetidissima

Cucurbitaceae Orange Yellow

Buffalo gourd can be seen in open sandy or gravelly areas, especially roadsides, in most parts of the state but especially in the western half. It is a robust, large-leaved, rank-growing, foul-smelling (when brushed against) vine that sends long stems across the ground. The large flowers (which are of two types on each plant, male and female) look somewhat like those of pumpkin and squash because they are closely related. Buffalo gourd produces a small round fruit--but don’t bother trying to eat it!

Seasonality

Flowering months

April May June July

Texas distribution

Region map

The highlighted regions reflect the historical distribution data preserved in the original collection.

East Texas Edwards Plateau High Plains North-Central Texas Rolling Plains Trans-Pecos

Herbarium sheets

Specimen gallery

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