Fruit from a plant from the Joshua Tree Park

Hi! Can anyone help me identify the plant this fruit (collected in the Joshua Tree Park) originates from? Please see the attached photo! Thanks a lot, best regards, MaHo

 

What size across is the fruit?

(and, I have to add, it's not permissible to collect in US National Parks without a permit)

 

Most likely Cucurbita palmata, which is not common in the park.
Cucurbita palmata S. Watson - Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

When visiting desert parks in particular, one should not remove plants or seed. Most desert environments are rather fragile. That's a lot of seed and potential new plants to remove from the environment.

 

Yes, I am pretty sure, that it is Cucurbita palmata, thank you very much. And yes, you both are right - I should not have taken the fruit with me... won't do it again...