pepos

Pepos are a form of fruit produced by many plants in the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes gourds, squashes, melons, and cucumbers. In botanical terms, a pepo is a specialized berry with a thick, hard rind and a fleshy interior that contains numerous seeds. The rind is derived from the pericarp and is often inedible or only lightly edible, while the edible portion is mainly the fleshy mesocarp. Pepos typically develop from a single ovary and are adapted to store water and nutrients, supporting their large, fleshy structure.

Examples of cultivated pepos include watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), melons such as cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) and honeydew, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and various squashes and pumpkins (genera Cucurbita, including Cucurbita pepo). This fruit form is a hallmark of the Cucurbitaceae and helps distinguish these plants from other fruit types.

Uses and significance vary by species. Many pepos are grown for fresh eating, while others are used in cooking, processing, or storage. The rind of some pepos is edible in certain varieties, and the thick outer layer often aids in transport and shelf life. As a morphologically defined fruit type, pepos are a key example in discussions of fruit development and plant adaptation within the Cucurbitaceae.