Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)

Gourd family plant characteristics

The gourd family –cucurbitaceae– comprises about 700 species spread mainly in warm countries. They are annual climbing plants. They are very valuable because of their huge eatable fruits (melon, pumpkin, cucumber, etc.)

GOURD

Leaves (1): Generally palmately lobed.
Stems (2): Climbing, sometimes with tendrils.(3)
Flowers:

Unisexual: MASCULINA and FEMENINA

Calyx (4): 5 sepals joined below.

GOURD

Corolla (5): 5 petals joined below.
Stamens: 5 free, or 3 which seem free (1 free and 2 becoming from the union of 2 each one.) or 1 made by joining 5.
Ovary: Inferior
Stigmas: 3

GOURD

Fruit:(6) Pepo

Genera

It comprises about 90 genera. The most important ones are the following:

BRYONIA

CITRULLUS

CUCUMIS

CUCURBITA

ECBALLIUM

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This article was endorsed by Julián Masats - Technical agricultural engineer specialized in horticulture and gardening.
Editorial
Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

4 August, 2022

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