Russ - 6-29-2010 at 06:38 PM
Another desert plant I shot today. This vine really stretches out a long ways from the main plant. the gourds, they're very dry, are bigger than a
tennis ball
[Edited on 6-30-2010 by Russ]
Russ - 6-29-2010 at 06:42 PM
#2
Baja&Back - 6-29-2010 at 08:19 PM
Coyote gourds.
Not good for playing tennis.
Tbone - 6-30-2010 at 08:38 AM
I’ve seen something very similar growing in several places in southern California.
ecomujeres - 6-30-2010 at 03:27 PM
Yep, coyote melon; this is the peninsular endemic species Cucurbita cordata, which is found throughout most of Baja's deserts. The seeds are
apparently highly nutritious and animals, such as coyotes and rodents, will eat them, as did native peoples.
They are a very beautiful perennial and this season was a particularly abundant one for these plants. Thanks for sharing!
ecomujeres - 6-30-2010 at 03:34 PM
PS, Russ:
Go to the bottom of this page:
http://www.lasecomujeres.org/jimena_files/jimena_legacy3.htm...
to see photos of some humongous vines of this species that we saw shortly after Hurricane Jimena. It's interesting to know that some plants are still
growing (i.e., the green leaves) even this late in the year. They seemed to be peaking around Mulege in Mar-Apr.
Did you take your photos around Punta Chivato or were you elsewhere? I'd really like to know as a point of interest about the plant's distribution
around your/our area. Thanks!