Okeechobee gourd
Cucurbita okeechobeensis

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a vine. The tendrils are long and twisting. The stems are slender. It can climb to 12 m long. The leaves are 15-20 cm wide and rough and hairy. They are alternate. They are broadly heart shaped with lobes and teeth along the edge. The surface can be mottled silver to grey. The flowers are yellow, bell shaped and 6-8 cm long. The fruit are 8 cm wide. They are round, smooth and waxy and not edible. The seeds are flat with raised edges.

There are 25 Cucurbita species. It is an at risk species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Flowers, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pepo okeechobeensis Small;