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Cucurbita palmata

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The flower by Paula Knoll, Pknoll.net.


The seeds. Grit: 5 mm.

Author: Sereno Watson, 1876
Family:  CUCURBITACEAE
Origin:  Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah; US NW Mexico
Soil:  Grit
Water:  Minimum
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  10 Centimetres
Height:  3 Metres
Flower:  Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Coyote Melon
Synonyms:  Cucurbita californica, Torr. ex S.Watson

This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was described by Sereno Watson in 1876. Its from the south-western part of USA and north-west Mexico. It preferring grit, little water and some sun. The caudex will grow to ten centimetres, the vines three meters. It can only be reproduced by seeds, it seems. The flowers are yellow.

The genera name from Latin; cucumis; 'gourd'. The species name palmata means "Lobed like a hand".


Fruit-photo from:
Southern California Wildflowers.