Cucurbita is a genus of herbaceous vines in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. Five species are grown worldwide for their edible fruit, variously known as squash, pumpkin, or gourd, depending on species, variety, and local parlance, and for their seeds. 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. These other gourds are used as utensils or vessels, and their young fruits are eaten much like those of Cucurbita species.
Cucurbita foetidissima is a tuberous xerophytic plant found in the central and southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has numerous common names, including: buffalo gourd, calabazilla, chilicote, coyote gourd, fetid gourd, fetid wild pumpkin, Missouri gourd, prairie gourd, stinking gourd, wild gourd, and wild pumpkin. The type specimen was collected from Mexico by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland sometime before 1817.
Cucurbita okeechobeensis, the Okeechobee gourd, is a species of gourd in the family Cucurbitaceae, native to Mexico and the United States. There are two subspecies; one is endemic to Florida, primarily in the region around Lake Okeechobee, the other to the State of Veracruz in eastern Mexico. Once abundant, it has state and federal listing as an endangered species.
Cucurbita radicans, commonly known in Mexico as calabacilla or calabaza de coyote , is a species of gourd found growing wild, but also cultivated, in southern Mexico. The type specimen was collected growing in rocks below a mountain near Guadalupe in the vicinity of Mexico City ; other specimens were also ubiquitous in the area; in corn fields and gardens, either being cultivated, or as invaders. It is a close relative of Cucurbita pedatifolia.
Cucurbita galeottii is a plant species of the genus Cucurbita. It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. It has not been domesticated. There is very little known about this species. Nee reports that the species is a xerophyte and that Bailey only saw the species in photographs. It is only known from specimens that "lack roots, female flowers, fruits and seeds".
Cucurbita lundelliana is a mesophyte plant species of the genus Cucurbita. It is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It has not been domesticated. It is found in the Yucatán region near sea level among limestone cliffs. In Guatemala it is found in Parque Nacional Yaxha Nakum Naranjo along Rio Ixtinto and near Laguna Julequito.
Cucurbita pedatifolia is a xerophyte plant species of the genus Cucurbita. It is native to Querétaro, Mexico. It has not been domesticated. While C. pedatifolia has been cross bred, results have met with limited success. It does not cross well with other species of Cucurbita. It is a close relative of Cucurbita radicans. Geographic location and genetics make it highly likely that Cucurbita scabridifolia is a naturally occurring hybrid of Cucurbita foetidissima and C. pedatifolia. It also has some mesophyte traits may represent a transitional state between the mesophytic Cucurbita and the xerophytic Cucurbita.
Cucurbita fraterna, also known as Cucurbita pepo subsp. fraterna, is a mesophyte plant species of the genus Cucurbita. It is native to Tamaulipas and Nuevo León, Mexico. It has not been domesticated. It is the progenitor and nearest relative of the domesticated species Cucurbita pepo and wild C. pepo is still found in the same areas as C. fraterna. It was formally described by Liberty Hyde Bailey in 1943, in Gentes Herbarum.
Cucurbita martinezii is a plant species of the genus Cucurbita native to Veracruz, Mexico. Locals use halved fruit shells as shot glasses for alcoholic drinks. It has not been domesticated. It is generally found in areas with rivers and forests.
Cucurbita moorei is a plant species of the genus Cucurbita. It is native to the vicinity of Ixmiquilpan, Mexico. It has dark green leaves with white markings and orange flowers.
Cucurbita sororia is a plant species of the genus Cucurbita, sometimes considered to be a subspecies of Cucurbita argyrosperma, C. a. subsp. sororia. It ranges from northern Mexico to Nicaragua, mostly along the Pacific coast. This species was originally considered closely related to Cucurbita texana but C. sororia was later shown to be an ancestor of Cucurbita argyrosperma, with which it hybridizes well.
Cucurbita palmeri is a plant species of the genus Cucurbita. It is native to the Pacific coast of northwestern Mexico to Nicaragua. It is closely related to Cucurbita argyrosperma and Cucurbita sororia.
Cucurbita kellyana is a plant species of the genus Cucurbita. It is native to the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is part of the Cucurbita argyrosperma species group.
Cucurbita cylindrata is a species of flowering plant in the squash family. It is similar to Cucurbita californica, Cucurbita cordata, Cucurbita digitata, and Cucurbita palmata and all these species hybridize readily. These species form the only restricted xerophyte species group in the genus Cucurbita. Each member of this species group is native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico where they are relatively uncommon. Each group member is found in hot, arid regions with low rainfall. They prefer soil that is loose, gravelly, and well-drained. C. cylindrata is found only in the middle portion of Baja California, mostly in Baja California Sur. Botanists Bemis and Whitaker suggest that C. cordata and C. cylindrata may be a case of sympatric speciation. The juvenile leaves of C. cylindrata, C. cordata, C. digitata, and C. palmata show a high degree of similarity, but their mature leaves are visibly different, as are their root structures. C. cylindrata fruits are dark green, striped, and round.
Rubus aptatus, the drybank dewberry, is a rare North American species of flowering plant in the rose family. It is found in scattered locations in the northeastern United States.
Rubus felix, the woodland dewberry, is a rare North American species of flowering plant in the rose family. It has been found in scattered locations in the eastern United States.
Rubus regionalis is an uncommon North American species of flowering plant in the rose family. It grows in eastern and central Canada and the north-central and northeastern United States.
Rubus wheeleri a North American species of brambles in the rose family. It grows in eastern and central Canada and the northern United States.
Rubus uvidus is a North American species of brambles in the rose family. It grows in the province of Québec in eastern Canada, as well as in the northeastern and north-central United States.
Rubus ortivus is uncommon North American species of brambles in the rose family. It grows in the northeastern United States (Maine) and eastern Canada.
