Pumpkins are a popular evenfall yield used for everything from decoration to food . You may have also see someone call them gourd , and some of their congenator , like squash rackets , are calabash . If that pull up stakes you scratching your promontory in confusion — you are n’t alone . sight of hoi polloi wonder , “ Is a autumn pumpkin a gourd ? ” We ’re here to respond that question . We ’ll explain what a calabash is , whether pumpkins are gourds , and utter about other fruits often call gourds , so you cango into your fall harvestfeeling surefooted .
What is a gourd?
The word gourd can refer to two potential things . The first is any works in the Cucurbitaceae family . Plants in this phratry can be called cucurbits or gourds , and the Cucurbitaceae family is sometimes call the gourd family . These plants have a few recognizable characteristics ; namely vines and yield with hard , thick skins or shells . The fruits themselves can also be called gourds . So , for example , you might callthe plantCitrullus lanatusa gourd , or you could call the yield itself ( a watermelon ) a gourd .
One exclusion to this rule is if a member of the gourd menage does n’t produce a firmly - shelled fruit . A few instance are cuke , caigua , and biting melon . In these cases , while you’re able to refer to the yield as gourds ( since the plant are in the gourd family ) , people typically do not .
Is a pumpkin a gourd?
Yes , pumpkins are calabash in both senses of the Christian Bible . Pumpkin plant are in the Cucurbita genus , which is part of the Cucurbitaceae family . They also have thick , arduous skins or plate , which is how it ’s so easy to hollow them out for use as diddlysquat - o’-lanterns . So whether you are talking about pumpkin plants , in general , or a specific pumpkin fruit , the Scripture gourd applies .
Not only that , but pumpkin are also technically berries . Although it might seem strange , the botanical definition of a Charles Edward Berry is unlike from how the Bible berry is used in a more occasional setting . Almost all gourds are berries , and there ’s actually a special term used just for them : pepo .
Are there other fruits considered gourds?
Any plant in the Cucurbitaceae family can be send for a gourd , but you might not realize which plants are part of this family — or just how many there are ! There are over 900 mintage in the gourd family . That ’s too many gourd to name , so here are some of the most common 1 you should be mindful of .
Pumpkins we ’ve already speak about , but their close relatives , mash and zucchini , are also gourds . cucumber are in the gourd syndicate , although not many people refer to them as gourds due to their thin peel . There are also melons in thesame genus as Cucumis sativus , such as cantaloupes and honeydews , which can be considered gourd . Watermelons are gourd as well . An interesting works in this menage isthe luffa or loofah , which is similar to a cucumber on the outside and is , therefore , not often pertain to as a gourd . This yield , when matured and dry , can be made into a loofah sponge .
How can you identify gourds?
If you ’re look at a flora and are n’t certain if it ’s a gourd , there are a few ways to determine the answer . If the plant has no fruit , then you may not be able-bodied to secern once and for all . If the plant does n’t have vines , then it ’s almost certainly not a gourd ( unless you are in Yemen , in which case , you might run into the cucumber vine Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , Dendrosicyos socotranus ) . The leaves of flora in the gourd kinsperson are typically blanket and flat or slenderly curved , but other plants can have similarly shape leaves .
If the plant has yield , it is easier to key out . Even when they first begin to develop , gourd vine tend to appear similar to their mature sort . youthful fruit may not have as thick of pelt as their mature counterparts , but they do still have a standardised appearance . However , we do n’t commend using this alone as an designation tool if you are forage . Not all gourds are edible , and mistake can have inauspicious aftermath .
Now you have sex what to say the next sentence someone enquire , “ Is a Cucurbita pepo a gourd ? ” Not only are pumpkins gourd , but so are squash , watermelons , and even loofah leech ! With your curiosity fed , now you could focus on caring for your gourds andgrowing a massive fall harvest . No matter the type of gourd you enjoy , they ’re a fun and rewarding addition to most gardens .
