Cucurbita Species, Buffalo Gourd, Calabazilla, Missouri Gourd, Wild Gourd
Cucurbitafoetidissima

Family: Cucurbitaceae (koo-ker-bih-TAY-see-ee)
Genus: Cucurbita (koo-KER-bih-ta)
Species: foetidissima (fet-uh-DISS-ih-muh)

Synonym:Cucumis foetidissimus

Synonym:Cucumis perennis

Synonym: perennis

Category
Vines and Climbers

Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping

Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade

Foliage
Deciduous

Foliage Color
Bronze
Blue-Green

Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)

Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)

Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone

Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
Gold (yellow-orange)

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored