Cucurbita digitata
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Curcurbita digitata | |
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Species: | C. digitata
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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 group in the genus Cucurbita.[2]
This wild squash plant is native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico where it is relatively uncommon. 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.
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