Restricted to western Arizona, southern California, and Lower
California, _palmata_ has similar-appearing relatives with much wider
distribution. Their large leaves and vine-like growth attract attention
along roadsides at elevations up to 7,000 feet. Most widespread of these
strikingly coarse perennials is _Cucurbita foetidissima_, the
buffalo-gourd or calabazilla. This rank-growing, ill-smelling vine-like
plant may have prostrate stems up to 20 feet long. The globular fruits,
of tennis ball size, were cooked by Indians or dried for winter
consumption. Seeds were boiled to form a pasty mush. California pioneers
used the crushed roots as a cleansing agent in washing clothes, but
found that particles clinging to the cloth were a skin irritant.
_Cucurbita palmata_ Gourd Family
[Illustration: COYOTE-MELON]