| Author: | Asa Gray,
1853 |
| Family: |
CUCURBITACEAE |
| Origin: |
Northern
Baja California, Northern Sonora, Southern Arizona, Southern New Mexico,
Arizona, California, Texas |
| Soil: |
Grit - Mix |
| Water:
|
Minimum -
Medium |
| Sun: |
Medium -
Maximum |
| Thickness: |
8 Centimetres |
|
Height: |
6 Meters
(Long) |
| Flower:
|
Yellow |
| Propagate: |
Seeds,
Root Division |
| Names:
|
Fingerleaf
Gourd, Finger-leaved Gourd, Calabacilla, Chichicayote,
Melloncillo, Coyote Gourd, Wild Gourd |
| Synonyms: |
- |
This member of the Cucurbitaceae
family was first described by Asa Gray in 1853. It can be found
native to northern Baja California and Sonora, and southern Arizona
and New Mexico. Introduced populations can also be found near roads
and campsites in southern California. It preferring a loose
sand/grit/gravel mix and quite a bit of sun, and produces tuberous
roots to survive periods of drought. This plant is differentiated
from C. palmata primarily by the slenderness of the five
lobes of the leaves. Fruits are dark green with narrow white
stripes, 6-8 centimetres in size, and generally considered inedible. The seeds
contain 34% protein and 50% fat, and are around ten millimetres in size.
The genera name from
Latin; cucumis; 'gourd'. The species name means 'finger' as the
leafs are hand shaped.
C. digitata
hybridizes readily with C. palmata and several other North
American Cucurbita species.
I am unaware of how (or if) the root will handle exposure above
ground level. |
