Buffalo Gourd

JD Miller · 06-07-2017, 12:40 AM

I finally ID'ed a wild mellon I have seen for years while hiking and hunting

http://medplant.nmsu.edu/buffalo.shtm

Quote:

Cucurbita foetidissima is commonly known as buffalo gourd and is native to the southwest, it’s often recognized by its fetid odor and bitter gourds. Despite its odor, various Native American and Mexican tribes have used buffalo gourd for at least nine thousand years. It has been used traditionally in various ways as a food, cosmetic, detergent, insecticide and ritualistic rattle, to name a few. As research discovers the important resources of buffalo gourd’s past

I also re- ID'ed a plant that I knew was poisonous:

Datura aka Thorn Apple, aka Jimson Weed, aka Loco Weed
https://www.desertusa.com/flowers/da...mson-weed.html

I always dig it up when I see it on my property. It has a big fat, deep, root like a potato or sweet potato.

My neighbor has it all over his property.

10 Bears · 06-07-2017, 01:55 AM

When those gourds get large, I mean over two feet in diameter, We call the flattened ones Kettle gourds and the taller ones bushel gourds.

But the ones I raise don't stink.

Konstantin · 06-07-2017, 08:22 AM

Those gourds grow everywhere around here. Used to play with the stinky things when I was a kid. Made lots of little jack-o'-lanterns out of them. They smell like bad body odor to me.

Sanders · 06-07-2017, 11:17 PM

They make good targets, but are dang near impossible to get rid of once they take root. They put down some serious taproots.

I have a couple jimson weeds growing in my backyard. Since I don't have horses anymore, I let it grow for the flowers.

JD Miller · 06-08-2017, 12:16 AM

Jimson weed just looks poisonous. Another name was devils trumpet

I just remembered my grandfather called it thorn apple or loco weed, after I read up on it again

Karl/PA · 06-08-2017, 01:17 PM

Hey Bears! You still sit on the porch and peel gourds? :0

06-07-2017, 11:17 PM	#4
Sanders Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 66,435	They make good targets, but are dang near impossible to get rid of once they take root. They put down some serious taproots. I have a couple jimson weeds growing in my backyard. Since I don't have horses anymore, I let it grow for the flowers. __________________ "The truly dangerous man dresses inconspicuously and is soft- spoken. He walks away from most confrontations. The only time you learn that the truly dangerous man is mad at you is a split second before you die, for he never fights. He only kills. The truly dangerous man knows that fighting is what children do and killing is what men do." - Charley Reese 1986 3

06-08-2017, 01:17 PM	#6
Karl/PA Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: South-Central PA Posts: 11,989	Hey Bears! You still sit on the porch and peel gourds? :0 __________________ Karl Alcohol is a perfect solvent: It dissolves marriages, families and careers.

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06-07-2017, 01:55 AM	#2
10 Bears Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: E-Da-How Posts: 137,846	When those gourds get large, I mean over two feet in diameter, We call the flattened ones Kettle gourds and the taller ones bushel gourds. But the ones I raise don't stink.

06-07-2017, 08:22 AM	#3
Konstantin Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Copperhead Road Posts: 782	Those gourds grow everywhere around here. Used to play with the stinky things when I was a kid. Made lots of little jack-o'-lanterns out of them. They smell like bad body odor to me.

06-08-2017, 12:16 AM	#5
JD Miller Fake Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PNW Posts: 39,162	Jimson weed just looks poisonous. Another name was devils trumpet I just remembered my grandfather called it thorn apple or loco weed, after I read up on it again