CUCURBITS: SQUASH, PUMPKINS, AND GOURDS Science Page
DID YOU KNOW? ORIGINS CLASSIFYING CUCURBITS .usbg.gov Most of the cucurbits are FAMILY w The largest fruits in the plant kingdom are native to the Americas. Cucurbitaceae ww There are about 800 species in this family. pumpkins. The biggest They were among the first pumpkin ever grown plants to be domesticated squash weighed 606.7 kilograms in the (about 1,338 lb)! Ne w World. cucumber
Squash is one pumpkin of t he three melon sist ers (corn, gourd beans, and GENUS UNITEDSTATES BOTANIC GARDEN
squash) in the
Cucurbita Nat ive American In Latin, this means gourd. cro pping
sys tem.
gourds
pumpkin
squashes There are 14 species in this genus.
SPECIES CUCURBIT PLANTS Scientists have grouped cucurbits into Summer squash, such as zucchini and yellow squash, different species based on differences in the structure of the flowers and other plant grows like a bush. Winter squash and pumpkins have parts. Three species commonly grown in long running vines. gardens are:
Cucurbita ma xima big max pumpkin pumpkin vine hubbard squash
buttercup squash Cucurbit Cucurbita moshata
plants have spaghetti large leaves. butternut squash squash
On a single plant, male and Cucurbita pepo female flowers look like large, acorn yellow, flaring funnels. squash male flower The female flower has a swelling, which becomes the fruit. gourd yellow zucchini crookneck
GROWING AND HARVESTING CUCURBITS USES Cucurbits are warm- I pick summer squashes when their Summer squash can be eaten—rind, season crops. Plant in fruits are young, small, and tender. seeds, and flesh. Winter squashes full sun at least one Pumpkins and winter squash won’t be must be cooked. They are usually week after the last frost ready until later in the fall when baked or steamed. You can also use date. Summer squash they have a hard shell. them in breads, pies, cakes, cookies, can grow close together, and casseroles. but the vines of pumpkins and winter squash need
more space to grow. Add lots of organic matter to You can the soil. Cucurbits have store winter deep roots and need squash and pumpkins in lots of water, a dry, cool, so water deeply airy place and slowly. for winter use. UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN www.usbg.gov
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