Buffalo Gourd

Cucurbita foetidissima is a tuberous xerophytic plant found in the central and southwestern United States and northern Mexico.^[4] It has numerous common names, but is most commonly called the buffalo gourd in English. The type specimen was collected from Mexico by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland sometime before 1817.^[5] In Latin, foetidissima means most unpleasant smell.

The buffalo gourd has evolved in the semiarid regions and is well-adapted to desert environments. It contains high amounts of protein and carbohydrates and yields abundant oil.^[6] The carbohydrates that are formed in the tap root have led to the idea of growing the plant for biofuel.^[7][8]