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Cucurbita foetidissima
  • Buffalo Gourd

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

Cucurbita foetidissima staminate flower 2003-05-19.jpg
Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    Plants which support their vertical growth using other structures as a support.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 10
    Zone 10
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cucurbita foetidissima has 5 edible uses listed
Cucurbita foetidissima has 4 material uses listed
Cucurbita foetidissima has 3 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo[1]. There is a report that the root is poisonous[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - cooked[3]. Used as a vegetable, it can also be dried for later use[4][5]. The young fruit is used, it is bitter and becomes more bitter as it gets older[5]. One report says that the fruit contains up to 23% protein[6], though this would be very unusual in a fruit[K]. The fruit is up to 7cm in diameter[7].

Seed - raw or cooked[8][9][10][11][12]. 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[5][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[5]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[5]. Root - the source of a starch that is used as a sweetener, stabilizer or for making puddings like tapioca[5]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[2].

The flowers are said to be edible after preparation[5] but no more details are given.

Flowers

Unknown use

Fruit

Unknown use

Unknown part

Oil

Root

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

The fruit is used as a soap substitute[12][14][15]. The fruit is cut up and simmered in water to obtain the soap which can be used for removing stains[11]. The fruit can also be dried and stored for later use[11]. It is often used with the root which is also a soap substitute[11]. 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[12][14][13].

The root is a rich source of starch[16]. (Industrial uses?)

Unknown part

Darning ball
Musical
Soap
Starch

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[17].

The leaves, stems and roots are laxative and poultice[8][9][11][12]. The root is used mainly, but some caution is advised because of a report that it can be poisonous[2]. A poultice of the mashed plant has been used to treat skin sores, ulcers etc[13].

The seeds are vermifuge[18][19]. 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[18]. 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[17].

Unknown part

Laxative
Poultice
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cucurbita foetidissima. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a very warm, sunny and sheltered position[20][7]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[21].

This species is not very hardy in Britain, it is usually grown as an annual in temperate climates[7]. The roots can survive temperatures down to about -25°c[22].

Does not hybridize naturally with other members of this genus though crosses have been made under controlled conditions[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cucurbita foetidissima. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cucurbita foetidissima.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cucurbita foetidissima
Genus
Cucurbita
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][2]
Medicinal uses
[13][17][8][9][11][12][2][18][19]
Material uses & Functions
[12][14][15][11][13][16]
Botanic
[23][7][24]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Flowers (Unknown use)
  • Fruit (Unknown use)
  • Unknown part (Oil)
  • Root (Unknown use)
  • Seed (Unknown use)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Darning ball)
  • Unknown part (Musical)
  • Unknown part (Soap)
  • Unknown part (Starch)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Laxative)
  • Unknown part (Poultice)
  • Unknown part (Vermifuge)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
10
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Climber
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
6 x meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious











References

  1. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Organ. J. Gourds. Faber (1963-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.611.7 Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press ISBN 0-520-00072-2 (1975-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.6 Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. ISBN 0-911010-54-8 (1962-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.513.613.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.2 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  16. ? 16.016.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.117.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.2 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  19. ? 19.019.1 RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (1987-00-00)
  20. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  21. ? Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. ISBN 0802707699 (1984-00-00)
  22. ? Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
  23. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
  24. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)


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