Cucurbita palmata
Coyote melon, Coyote Melon
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Cucurbitaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Cucurbita palmata (Coyote melon) is a native California vine in the Cucurbitaceae family, recognized by leaf lobe shape and division depth.
Coyote melon is a California native perennial found in the Central Valley, Central West, southwestern California, and desert regions in sandy places at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces large yellow flowers approximately 6 to 8 centimeters wide. Growing with scabrous herbage and branched tendrils, it develops sprawling vines with distinctive gray-green leaves. Its palmately lobed leaves have five segments, with the terminal lobes triangular and generally entire, and main veins appearing whitish against the gray-green background. The spheric fruit grows 8 to 9 centimeters wide, appearing dull green and mottled with obscure white stripes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; leaf lobe shape and division depth are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy places
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Imperial, Inyo, Tulare, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Ventura, Fresno, Kings, Alameda, Madera, Stanislaus, Santa Barbara
Outside California: Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Cucurbita palmata blooms Apr-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Cucumis: Cucurbita has flowers with fused tube over 3cm long; Cucumis flowers are shallower with shorter tubes.; vs Datura: Cucurbita has yellow-orange trumpet flowers and vines; Datura has white-purple trumpets and upright growth.; vs Citrullus: Cucurbita emerges from large tuber-like roots; Citrullus is annual from seed without tuber.; vs Marah: Cucurbita has large yellow trumpet flowers; Marah has small white star-shaped flowers.; vs Agnorhiza: Cucurbita has trumpet-shaped flowers; Agnorhiza has daisy-like composite flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cucurbita palmata native to California?
Yes. Cucurbita palmata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cucurbita palmata bloom?
Cucurbita palmata blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Cucurbita palmata grow?
Cucurbita palmata occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Imperial, Inyo, Tulare, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Cucurbita palmata belong to?
Cucurbita palmata is in the Cucurbitaceae family, genus Cucurbita.
What habitat does Cucurbita palmata grow in?
Cucurbita palmata grows in Sandy places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.