Each member of this species group is native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico where they are relatively uncommon.

C. palmata fruits are diffuse green mottle that turns yellow at maturity, striped, and round.

The dark green, light-veined leaves are sharply palmate with usually five long triangular points.

The plant bears smooth spherical or oblate squash fruits 8 to 10 centimeters wide.

With a very bitter flavor the fruits are inedible, though Native Americans used them for soap and also ground the seeds to use as food.