Buffalo Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima)

DESCRIPTION: Perennial, prostrate vine to 20' long. Flowers (4" long) yellow, funnel-shaped, with 5 petal lobes. Fruit (3" diameter) is spherical and hard, dark green with stripes when immature, changing to yellowish brown when dry. Leaves to 1' long are simple, finely toothed, triangular, rough, and smelly. Cucurbitaceae (Gourd) Family.
NATURAL HISTORY: Flowers bloom May to August. Dried fruits are used for ceremonial purposes and often painted upon for decorations.