cucurbit

Cucurbit refers to any member of the plant family Cucurbitaceae, a diverse group of flowering plants cultivated primarily for edible fruit. The family includes gourds, pumpkins, squashes, cucumbers, melons, and related crops, as well as several ornamental and wild species.

Most cucurbits are herbaceous vines with creeping or climbing growth and tendrils. They typically have alternate, palmately lobed leaves and produce unisexual flowers; male and female flowers often appear separately on the same plant. The fruit is usually a pepo, a fleshy fruit with a hard rind, characteristic of the family.

Taxonomically, the Cucurbitaceae belong to the order Cucurbitales. The largest cultivated genera are Cucumis (cucumber, several melons), Citrullus (watermelon), and Cucurbita (pumpkins, zucchini, many squashes), with other important genera such as Lagenaria (bottle gourd) and Luffa (loofah). The family comprises roughly 95 genera and about 825 species, though estimates vary.

Cucurbits require warm temperatures and long growing seasons and are grown worldwide as garden and field crops. Fruits are eaten as vegetables or desserts; seeds may be consumed or pressed for oil. Some species yield edible pulp or immature fruits, and Luffa is cultivated for its fibrous fruit used as a sponge. Many cultivars are grown with trellises to support vines, and fruit set is often pollinator-dependent, with bees playing a key role; parthenocarpic varieties exist in some crops. Common pests and diseases include cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, and powdery mildew.

Some cucurbits contain cucurbitacins, bitter compounds that can deter herbivory and, in large amounts, cause gastrointestinal distress if consumed from wild or unripe fruits. Cultivated edible cucurbits are generally safe when properly prepared.