Missouri Gourd

(Cucurbita foetidissima)

Missouri Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Cucurbita foetidissima, commonly known as Missouri Gourd, is a perennial herb or vine that is deciduous in nature. It is native to a variety of habitats including grasslands, deserts, and scrublands in the Southwestern and South Central United States, as well as Mexico. This plant typically sprawls across the ground with large, lobed leaves and produces yellow flowers. The fruit, which has a diameter of 7–10 cm (3–4 in) and weighs 120 g to 150 g, is notable for its large number of seeds, ranging from 292 to 315 per fruit. The flowers are showy and appear singly at the nodes of the vines after the plant has undergone a period of vegetative growth each year.

Missouri Gourd is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in semiarid to arid environments. It is often used in xeriscaping and as an ornamental plant in gardens that are designed to conserve water. The plant’s fruit is also of interest to wildlife and can be consumed by humans and animals alike. Cultivation requires warm weather during its five- to eight-month vegetation period. It is well adapted to marginal agricultural lands, including sandy loam soils, provided they are well-drained. Germination temperature ranges from 15 °C to 37 °C, with an optimum at 25 °C, and it can germinate in a wide pH range from 2.2 to 8. In cultivation, it does best in full sun with low water requirements and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions from fast to slow.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Vine
  • Height: 0.5-1 feet
  • Width: 6-20 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Yellow
  • Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Low
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden

Natural Habitat

Native to grasslands, deserts, and scrublands in the Southwestern and South Central United States, as well as Mexico

Other Names

Common Names: Buffalo Gourd , Buffalogourd Pumpkin , Wild Gourd , Wild Pumkin , Chilicote , Coyote Gourd , Fetid Gourd , Fetid Wild Pumpkin , Missouri Gourd , Prairie Gourd

Scientific Names: Cucurbita foetidissima , Cucurbita perennis , Pepo foetidissima , Cucumis perennis , Cucumis foetidissima , Cucumis foetidissimus , Cucurbita foetidissima var. foetidissima , Ozodycus perennis

GBIF Accepted Name: Cucurbita foetidissima Kunth