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Cucurbita maxima
  • Winter Squash
    •  
  • Pumpkin

a vegetable vine or creeper of the Cucurbita genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid, neutral
    Acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cucurbita maxima has 0 edible uses listed
Cucurbita maxima has 0 material uses listed
Cucurbita maxima has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Seed

low toxicity
The sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo[15].
The given value was not understood.

Edible uses

Flowers

Fresh

Fruit

Cooked

Leaves

Cooked

Seed

Oil
Cooked
Flour

Material uses

Fruit

Cosmetic

Seed

Oil

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Seed

Diuretic
Nervine
Tonic
Vermifuge

Fruit

Poultice

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Vine types of Cucurbita maxima spread rapidly in summer, covering the ground with large leaves.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed

Cucurbita maxima requires warmth for successful germination. Sow in a rich soil at temperatures above 20ºC (?ºF). Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per pot and thin out to the best plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts, giving them cloche or frame protection for at least their first few weeks if you are trying them outdoors.


Cultivation

Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a very warm, sunny and sheltered position[16][9]. Prefers a pH of 5.5 to 5.9, but tolerates up to 6.8[9]. Dry periods with a relatively low humidity favour the best growth[17].

A frost-tender annual plant, it is widely cultivated in tropical and temperate zones for its edible fruit, there are very many named varieties differing considerably in their fruits[3]. Most of the winter squashes derive from this species, including Hubbard, Butternut, Acorn, Argentine and Boston[9]. Many forms require a temperature range of 20 - 27°c during the growing season, but there are some forms that tolerate cooler conditions and these succeed outdoors most years in Britain[200, K]. Most cultivars are relatively insensitive to day-length[17]. Squashes and pumpkins can be differentiated from each other by their fruit stalk, it is angular and polygonal in pumpkins but thick, soft and round in squashes[18]. This species hybridizes readily with C. andreana but can only be crossed with other species under controlled conditions[9][2]. Some modern works see C. andreana as being no more than a subspecies of this species, classifying it as C. maxima andreana (Naudin.)Filov.

Grows well with sweetcorn and thornapple but dislikes potatoes[19][20].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cucurbita maxima. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cucurbita maxima
Genus
Cucurbita
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[4][5][6][7][1][3][10][8][9][2]
Medicinal uses
[1][12][13][14]
Material uses & Functions
[11][9][8][1]
Botanic
[17]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Climber
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 5
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    insects
    Flower Colour
    orange, yellow
    Flower Type
    monoecious

    "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.




    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.81.9 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 ? The Plantsman. Vol.8. 1986 - 1987. Royal Horticultural Society (32202/01/01)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.7 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    6. ? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (32202/01/01)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Towle. M. A. The Ethno-Botany of Pre-Columbian Peru. ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (32202/01/01)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.69.7 Organ. J. Gourds. Faber (32202/01/01)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    11. ? 11.011.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (32202/01/01)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (32202/01/01)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (32202/01/01)
    15. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (32202/01/01)
    16. ? Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (32202/01/01)
    17. ? 17.017.117.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
    18. ? Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
    19. ? Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (32202/01/01)
    20. ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (32202/01/01)


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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cucurbita_maxima&oldid=76676"
    Facts about "Cucurbita maxima"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupNo +
    Belongs to familyCucurbitaceae +
    Belongs to genusCucurbita +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has common nameWinter Squash + and Pumpkin +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers +, Fruit +, Leaves + and Seeds +
    Has edible useFresh +, Cooked +, Oil + and Flour +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of colourorange + and yellow +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has imageCucurbita maxima IMG 3544.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partFruit + and Seeds +
    Has material useCosmetic + and Oil +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width5 +
    Has medicinal partSeeds + and Fruit +
    Has medicinal useDiuretic +, Nervine +, Poultice +, Tonic + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imageCucurbita maxima IMG_3544.jpg +
    Has search namecucurbita maxima + and x +
    Has seed requiring scarificationNo +
    Has seed requiring stratificationNo +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameCucurbita maxima +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber +
    Is grown fromSeeds +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates air pollutionNo +
    Tolerates maritime exposureNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Tolerates windNo +