Fauna
Plant

Buffalo Gourd

Cucurbita foetidissima

Also known as Calabazilla, Stinking Gourd, Missouri Gourd, Wild Pumpkin

Buffalo gourd sprawls across dusty roadsides and desert washes, anchored by a massive taproot that can weigh up to fifty kilograms. Its triangular, rough-textured gray-green leaves release a pungent, unpleasant odor when bruised, discouraging large herbivores. Bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in morning heat, giving way to smooth, round gourds striped in green and white.

PerennialArid NativeWild Vine
Buffalo Gourd reference1 / 7
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthesis
Predators
  • Squash bug
  • Cucumber beetle
  • Porcupine
ThreatsLand development, broad-scale herbicide spraying
HabitatsDry grasslands, desert scrub, roadsides, disturbed soils
Life span20–50 years
Classification
  1. OrderCucurbitales
  2. FamilyCucurbitaceae
  3. GenusCucurbita
  4. SpeciesCucurbita foetidissima
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains toxic cucurbitacins that cause severe illness; do not ingest any part of the plant.
Why it is dangerous
Contains extremely bitter compounds called cucurbitacins that cause severe gastrointestinal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for triangular gray-green leaves that stand upright along trailing vines and produce yellow trumpet flowers.
What to do
Avoid tasting or harvesting the gourds or roots; wash hands after touching bruised foliage.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting Foliage: Look for large, upright triangular gray-green leaves lining sunny roadsides.
  • Fruit Identification: Observe the green-and-white striped golf ball to tennis ball sized gourds resting on bare dirt.
  • Odour Recognition: Notice the distinctive foul scent emitted by crushed leaves from a safe distance.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…