Practical
Plants

Cucurbita foetidissima

Buffalo Gourd

a perennial woody member of the Cucurbita genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
6 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo[18]. There is a report that the root is poisonous[10].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - cooked[2]. Used as a vegetable, it can also be dried for later use[5][8]. The young fruit is used, it is bitter and becomes more bitter as it gets older[8]. One report says that the fruit contains up to 23% protein[11], though this would be very unusual in a fruit[K]. The fruit is up to 7cm in diameter[9]. Seed - raw or cooked[16][17][20][22][23]. The seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a thickening in soups or can be mixed with cereal flours when making cakes and biscuits[8][13]. Rich in oil with a very pleasant nutty flavour, but very fiddly to use because the seed is small and covered with a fibrous coat[K]. The seed contains 30 - 35% protein and 34% oil[8]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[8]. Root - the source of a starch that is used as a sweetener, stabilizer or for making puddings like tapioca[8]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[10]. The flowers are said to be edible after preparation[8] but no more details are given.

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Oil
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Buffalo gourd was employed medicinally by many native North American tribes who used it particularly in the treatment of skin complaints[13]. It is still employed in modern herbalism as a safe and effective vermicide[12]. The leaves, stems and roots are laxative and poultice[16][17][22][23]. The root is used mainly, but some caution is advised because of a report that it can be poisonous[10]. A poultice of the mashed plant has been used to treat skin sores, ulcers etc[13]. The seeds are vermifuge[19][21]. The complete seed, together with the husk, is used. This is ground into a fine flour, then made into an emulsion with water and eaten. It is then necessary to take a purgative afterwards in order to expel the tapeworms or other parasites from the body[19]. As a remedy for internal parasites, the seeds are less potent than the root of Dryopteris felix-mas, but they are safer for pregnant women, debilitated patients and children[12].

Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruit is used as a soap substitute[23][24][6]. The fruit is cut up and simmered in water to obtain the soap which can be used for removing stains[22]. The fruit can also be dried and stored for later use[22]. It is often used with the root which is also a soap substitute[22]. The soap is said to be effective in removing stains from clothing[13]. The dried fruits have a tough, thick skin. They can be used whole as rattles or can be carved to make ladles, spoons etc[23][24][13]. The root is a rich source of starch[7]. (Industrial uses?)

Product or use
Darning ball
Product or use
Musical
Product or use
Soap
Product or use
Starch

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
South-western N. America.
Habitat
Dry or sandy soils from Mexico northwards to Missouri and Nebraska[15].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 10+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse in a rich soil. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per pot and thin out to the best plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts, giving them cloche or frame protection for at least their first few weeks if you are trying them outdoors.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a very warm, sunny and sheltered position[1][9]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[3]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it is usually grown as an annual in temperate climates[9]. The roots can survive temperatures down to about -25°c[4]. Does not hybridize naturally with other members of this genus though crosses have been made under controlled conditions[20].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. 1984-00-00 ISBN 0802707699

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  4. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

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  5. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  6. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

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  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  13. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  14. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

  15. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  18. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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  19. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  20. Organ. J. Gourds. Faber 1963-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  21. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

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  22. Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-520-00072-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  23. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  24. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩1↩2

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