The exact name of this wild gourd is unknown, but it grows in one particular area along a central Texas river and consistently makes the same bottle type gourds every year. Fruits usually have a handle but occasionally will be almost round with just a tiny neck (see pics). This gourd is possibly an unusual form of Cucurbitacae pepo var. texana and could be the result of past genetic contact with a crook neck squash. The stripes disappear when dried and the gourds do not rattle because the seeds are encased in a sponge-like membrane. The shell is fairly thick and strong when dried. The maximum length of these gourds is about 8 inches and width 2 1/2 inches thick at the thickest point. I have grown these gourds successfully in containers but they require more frequent watering in hot weather.
30 Seeds $8.99 (price includes U.S. shipping)
More photos...(click to enlarge)
Seedling
Small fruit
Various shapes of ripened gourds
Dried gourds that were left outdoors a full year
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