In Search of Wild GOURDS in Tennessee-Cucurbita pepo texana/ozarkana

Contact Holly Prendeville: hrp@unlserve.unl.edu if you have seen these plants (wild gourd) in Tennessee.

Wild gourds flowers close around noon or earlier if it is a hot day. Each flower opens for one day and closes by noon if not earlier depending upon the heat of the day.

Green gourds growing on road side fence

Close up of dried open gourd

Young plant

Wild gourds growing in corn before harvest.

Wild gourds can grow in and near agricultural fields of soybean (on left), cotton (on right), and corn (above photos). Notice the yellow/orange flowers in photo on the left.

Wild gourds come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They can be as small as a ping-pong ball or as large as a softball. The color of fruits on wild gourds can be completely white or green or green with white (pale green) strips. Gourd shape can be round (pictured above), oblong, or with handles/necks (pictured below).

Wild Gourd Leaves with Virus Infection

Wild gourds are also called Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita texana, Cucurbita ozarkana (scientific names), Texas gourd, field pumpkin, Johnny gourd (common names).

Wild gourds disperse gourds during floods. Gourds dry out and become buoyant so when rivers flood the fruit floats to a new location for germination. Wild gourds grow in agricultural fields, along road sides, ditches, irrigation canals, and disturbed sandy exposed shores of rivers and lakes.

If you have seen these plants on your property or anywhere please contact me via email hrp@unlserve.unl.edu, call 402-472-2347, or send a letter to Holly Prendeville 348 Manter Hall Lincoln, NE 68588.

I am interested in studying these plants for my graduate work. I thank you in advance for your time and effort in searching for these plants.