C. ficifolia is an exception, being highly uniform in appearance. There is wide variation in size, shape, and color among Cucurbita fruits, and even within a single species. The vine of the perennial Cucurbita can become semiwoody if left to grow. Most species do not readily root from the nodes a notable exception is C. ficifolia, and the four other cultivated mesophytes do this to a lesser extent. Growing 5 to 15 meters (15 to 50 ft) in height or length, the plant stem produces tendrils to help it climb adjacent plants and structures or extend along the ground. Cultivated Cucurbita species were derived from the first group. The second group are perennials growing in arid zones and so are xerophytic, tolerating dry conditions. they require a more or less continuous water supply. The first group are annual or short-lived perennial vines and are mesophytic, i.e. maxima, all othersĬucurbita species fall into two main groups. pepo pumpkins – the two bright orange ones in center right, and squashes C. Pumpkins see more varied use, and are eaten both as vegetables and as desserts such as pumpkin pie.ĭescription C. Although botanical fruits, Cucurbita gourds such as squash are typically cooked and eaten as vegetables. The fruits have many culinary uses including pumpkin pie, biscuits, bread, desserts, puddings, beverages, and soups. The fruits of the genus Cucurbita are good sources of nutrients, such as vitamin A and vitamin C, among other nutrients according to species. All of these can be treated as winter squash because the full-grown fruits can be stored for months however, C. pepo includes some cultivars that are better used only as summer squash. The five domesticated species are Cucurbita argyrosperma, C. ficifolia, C. maxima, C. moschata, and C. pepo. There is debate about the taxonomy of the genus, as the number of accepted species varies from 13 to 30. Many North and Central American species are visited by specialist bee pollinators, but other insects with more general feeding habits, such as honey bees, also visit. The female flowers produce the fruit and the male flowers produce pollen. The yellow or orange flowers on a Cucurbita plant are of two types: female and male. Most Cucurbita species are herbaceous vines that grow several meters in length and have tendrils, but non-vining "bush" cultivars of C. pepo and C. maxima have also been developed. These other gourds are used as utensils or vessels, and their young fruits are eaten much like those of the Cucurbita species. Other kinds of gourd, also called bottle-gourds, are native to Africa and belong to the genus Lagenaria, which is in the same family and subfamily as Cucurbita, but in a different tribe. They are variously known as squash, pumpkin, or gourd, depending on species, variety, and local parlance. Five edible species are grown and consumed for their flesh and seeds. 1838 ( Juncaceae) nor Klotzsch 1838 ( Ericaceae) Ĭucurbita ( Latin for ' gourd') is a genus of herbaceous fruits in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae (also known as cucurbits or cucurbi), native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. Tristemon Scheele 1848, illegitimate homonym, not Raf.Genus of herbaceous vines in the gourd family, CucurbitaceaeĬucurbita fruits come in an assortment of colors and sizes.Ĭross section of Cultivated Cucurbita of Canada
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