 These
plants are really more of a wild growing plant. However, they have been
adopted by home owners as a landscape addition. Their structure lends
itself to an almost exotic looking shape. In cattle country they are
relatively new as far as acceptance is concerned. At one time the sharp
spiny leaves were not something a cowboy wanted to have his horse try to
wade through. It is told that they were once planted outside a window to
discourage any "peeping Toms."
The root is what the Natives used for
soap. The green pods were said to be edible. There have been stories
about how the Native women washed their white garments by using the
root. According to the older folks, the green gourd was more to their
liking for this. At the earliest of times they spread their clothing on
rocks, rubbed them with a piece cut big enough to fit into their hand
like a bar of soap, and then washed them to brilliant cleanliness. The
blossoms dropped into vinegar will keep and can be used as a hair rinse,
by mixing one ounce of the mixture to 8 ounces of water.
It has taken this plant twenty-six years
to reach this growth. I have seen some as much as five feet tall. There
are small shoots to come up off the side. This is how a friend gave me a
start of this one. The friend has been gone now for many years, but the
gift she gave me gives us joy every year with the lovely showy white
blossoms. |
