A coarse, trailing perennial, with gray-green, rough leaves, yellow flowers, and a large root, undergoes dormancy after flowering and fruiting. Occurs often in sandy areas. Produces a gourd, not edible.
Pollinated by Lasioglossum pectoraloides;,Peponapis pruinosa, Perdita hurdi, Xenoglossa angustior, Xenoglossa patricia, Xenoglossa strenua; and other native bees. Riparian area of desert woodland, growing in sun or part shade, growing with Atriplex canescens, Chaenactis spp., Haplopappus linearifolius, Encelia actoni, Forestiera neomexicana, and Prunus andersonii.
In seasonal creek bank area of blue oak woodland, plants that occur near and nearby Calabazilla are: Lepidospartum squamatum, Datura wrightii, Populus fremontii, and Ephedra californica, Brickellia nevinii, Encelia actoni, Isomeris arborea, Opuntia treleasei, Yucca whipplei cespitosa, and Eriogonum fasciculatum polifolium.
Cucurbita foetidissima tolerates sand.
Foliage of Cucurbita foetidissima has color green-gray and is stressdeciduous.
Flower of Cucurbita foetidissima has color yellow.
Communities for Cucurbita foetidissima:Chaparral, Creosote Bush Scrub, Coastal Sage Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland, Shadscale Scrub, Southern Oak Woodland and Central Oak Woodland.