Cucurbita digitata: Difference between revisions
leaves |
sympatric |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
|binomial_authority = [[Asa Gray|Gray]] |
|binomial_authority = [[Asa Gray|Gray]] |
||
|}} |
|}} |
||
'''''Cucurbita digitata''''' is a species of flowering plant in the [[Cucurbitaceae|squash family]] known by the common names '''fingerleaf gourd''' and '''bitter squash'''. It is similar to ''[[Cucurbita californica]]'', ''[[Cucurbita cordata]]'', ''[[Cucurbita cylindrata]]'', and ''[[Cucurbita palmata]]''.<ref name="puchalski">{{cite journal|last1=Puchalski|first1= J. T.|last2=Robinson|first2=R. W.|year=1978|title=Comparative Electrophoretic Analysis of Isozymes in ''Cucurbita'' Species|url=http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cgc/cgc01/cgc1-26.html|journal= Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report|publisher=North Carolina State University|location=Raleigh, NC|volume=1|page=28}}</ref> 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. digitata'' is native to northern [[Baja California]] at higher elevations, northern [[Sonora]], Mexico, southern [[Arizona]], and southwestern [[New Mexico]]. The leaves of ''C. cylindrata'', ''C. cordata'', ''C. digitata'', and ''C. palmata'' are visibly different.<ref name="bemiwhitaker">{{cite jstor|41423342}}</ref> |
'''''Cucurbita digitata''''' is a species of flowering plant in the [[Cucurbitaceae|squash family]] known by the common names '''fingerleaf gourd''' and '''bitter squash'''. It is similar to ''[[Cucurbita californica]]'', ''[[Cucurbita cordata]]'', ''[[Cucurbita cylindrata]]'', and ''[[Cucurbita palmata]]''.<ref name="puchalski">{{cite journal|last1=Puchalski|first1= J. T.|last2=Robinson|first2=R. W.|year=1978|title=Comparative Electrophoretic Analysis of Isozymes in ''Cucurbita'' Species|url=http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cgc/cgc01/cgc1-26.html|journal= Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report|publisher=North Carolina State University|location=Raleigh, NC|volume=1|page=28}}</ref> 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. digitata'' is native to northern [[Baja California]] at higher elevations, northern [[Sonora]], Mexico, southern [[Arizona]], and southwestern [[New Mexico]]. The leaves of ''C. cylindrata'', ''C. cordata'', ''C. digitata'', and ''C. palmata'' are visibly different. ''C. palmata'' and ''C. digitata'' are [[Sympatry|sympatric]], with ''C. palmata'' separating the ranges of ''C. digitata'' at the juncture of Baja California, California, and Arizona.<ref name="bemiwhitaker">{{cite jstor|41423342}}</ref> |
||
It was first identified by [[Asa Gray]] in 1853.<ref name="nee">{{cite jstor|4255271}}</ref> |
It was first identified by [[Asa Gray]] in 1853.<ref name="nee">{{cite jstor|4255271}}</ref> |
||
Revision as of 13:52, 29 September 2013
| Curcurbita digitata | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | C. digitata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cucurbita digitata | |
Cucurbita digitata is a species of flowering plant in the squash family known by the common names fingerleaf gourd and bitter squash. It is similar to Cucurbita californica, Cucurbita cordata, Cucurbita cylindrata, and Cucurbita palmata.[1] 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. digitata is native to northern Baja California at higher elevations, northern Sonora, Mexico, southern Arizona, and southwestern New Mexico. The leaves of C. cylindrata, C. cordata, C. digitata, and C. palmata are visibly different. C. palmata and C. digitata are sympatric, with C. palmata separating the ranges of C. digitata at the juncture of Baja California, California, and Arizona.[2]
It was first identified by Asa Gray in 1853.[3]
Description
Cucurbita digitata is a hairy vining plant with sharply palmate leaves having five fingerlike lobes. It is quite similar in appearance to its close relative, the coyote gourd Cucurbita palmata, but the lobes of its leaves are usually more slender.
It has curling yellow flowers up to 5 centimeters wide.
The fruit is a dark green squash, rounded or nearly rounded, with mottling and distinct white stripes. The bitter fruit is very distasteful and generally not edible, although a few animals may hesitantly eat the flesh while trying to get at the seeds. Each white seed is about a centimeter long and at 35% protein and 50% fat is a nutritious food.
References
- ^ Puchalski, J. T.; Robinson, R. W. (1978). "Comparative Electrophoretic Analysis of Isozymes in Cucurbita Species". Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report. 1. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University: 28.
- ^ Attention: This template ({{cite jstor}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by jstor:41423342, please use {{cite journal}} with
|jstor=41423342instead. - ^ Attention: This template ({{cite jstor}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by jstor:4255271, please use {{cite journal}} with
|jstor=4255271instead.
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment: Cucurbita digitata
- USDA Plants Profile — Cucurbita digitata
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Profile
| Species |  | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cultivars |
| ||||||
| Related topics |
| ||||||
