As best one can tell, Missouri gourd probably started out as native to the Flint Hills and Osage Plains of Kansas, naturalizing both southwestward, eastward and northward into Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and southern Minnesota.  It’s also known as calabazilla, chilicote, coyote gourd, fetid gourd, wild gourd, wild pumpkin and buffalo gourd.  Indeed, it has the toughness of bison.  Although most widespread in the Southwest of the US and northern Mexico it will grow in most any climate boasting seven to nine months of warm weather.  

A member of the cucumber family, this guy is remarkably tolerant of dry, poor soil.  Thus, it becomes an ideal ground cover for those areas of the property where not much of anything will grow.  It will sprawl or climb a fence or trellis with vigor.  It also is quite handy on banks susceptible to erosion.  Once established, the vine will produce large showy orange to yellow flowers in summer, reminiscent of squash blossoms.  As you might guess from its relatives, Missouri gourd will produce small gourd like fruit, looking like mini watermelons.  They can be quite decorative in the fall.

The plant is edible, although you have to boil the fruit when it is very young.  As it matures, it becomes quite bitter.  The flowers are also bitter.  You might give the seeds a try, although be sure to boil or roast them before you dig in.  In addition to being a food source for Native Americans, the gourd is traditionally used to make musical instruments, particularly rattles.  You might try drying out a gourd to make an interesting winter project!

So, if you are looking for a reliable ground cover for difficult soil which will reward you with stunningly golden flowers and decorative fall melons, consider Missouri gourd.

Photo Credits: Charles Clark, Wikipedia (1), Wikipedia (2)