Some Common Plants of Upper Newport Bay

Coyote Melon, Stinking Gourd, Calabazilla  (Cucurbita foetidissima)
Plant: Perennial herb, many branching prostrate vine, spreading over the ground covering an area up to 25 feet in diameter.
Flowers: Yellow, downy, male flowers 4-1/2 inches long, bell shaped, female slightly smaller.  Male and female separate but on the same plant.  Fruit is a striped green gourd that turns yellow.
Leaf: Triangular, 10 inches long on sturdy stems, with strong, disagreeable odor .
Flowering period:  June to August
Use by Indians: Dried seeds were made into mush for food, root was used as soap.
Can be found here: Bayview Nature Trail
Native Plant: Yes Halophyte: No
Family Name: Gourd
Click on Picture for enlarged version
Similar Species: Jimson-weed
Date: 9/14/2005