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Coyote Gourd

Cucurbita palmata

true

1 gallon

Coyote Gourd

In stock

1'x20'

Sizes:

Coyote Gourd – Cucurbita palmata
Synonyms: Cucurbita californica Torr. ex S. Wats.
Also known as: Coyote Melon; Coyote Gourd

A resilient perennial vine in the squash family, Coyote Gourd is native to the Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico. Emerging each spring from a deep-down tuberous root, it reaches impressive sizes—spanning up to 30 feet across in favorable conditions . The vine bears rough, gray-green, palmately lobed leaves and produces large, yellow bell-shaped flowers in the leaf axils . These are followed by smooth, striped gourds that begin green, ripen through yellow, and ultimately dry to tan—each about the size of a baseball . While the fruits are bitter and not eaten, Native Americans once used them as soap and fashioned dried gourds into rattles. The seed, though bitter and toxic if improperly processed, was ground for food, and the vine’s extensive root systems contribute to erosion control .

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Large yellow flowers are a magnet for pollinators, especially bees and beetles, including squash- and gourd-specialist bees (Peponapis/Xenoglossa species)
Bird Resources: Fruit/Berries; Seeds; Shelter (dense groundcover)
Bird Species: Finches (seed consumers); Sparrows (seed and cover) — observed using the dense vine mass as shelter and nesting habitat
Other Wildlife: Coyotes and other desert mammals eat the mature gourds; the root’s massive size makes this plant a strong guardian of soil and moisture

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

1'x20'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Yellow orange

Flower season:

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

32 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.