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Cucurbita moschata
  • Squash
    •  
  • Pumpkin

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

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this 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, alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    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
  • 10
    Zone 10
    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 moschata has 0 edible uses listed
Cucurbita moschata has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo[13].

Edible uses

Fruit

Cooked, Dried, Flour

Flowers

Cooked, Salad

Leaves

Herb

Seed

Fresh, Cooked, Dried, Oil

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Cucurbita moschata.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Seeds

Anthelmintic, Vermifuge

Roots

Galactogogue

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface or Climber

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse in a rich soil. 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.

Seed

Cultivation

Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a very warm, sunny and sheltered position[14][15][8]. Prefers a pH of 5.5 to 5.9, but tolerates up to 6.8[8]. Moderate rainfall favours growth, but the roots of most cultivars are sensitive to high soil-water levels[16].

The squash is a frost-tender annual plant that is widely cultivated, especially in warm temperate and tropical areas, for its edible fruit[2]. There are very many named varieties widely differing in size shape and taste[2][5]. Some varieties are used in the summer and autumn whilst others are harvested in the autumn and can be stored for several months. Succeeds outdoors most years in Britain[2]. Plants are more suited to warmer climates than Britain[16] and are only really successful in good summers in this country, they do not do well in the north[8]. Most cultivars are day-length neutral[16]. This species only hybridizes with other members of the genus under controlled conditions[8][6]. Grows well with sweetcorn, radishes and nasturtium but dislikes potatoes[17][18].

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[19].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cucurbita moschata. 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 moschata
Genus
Cucurbita
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][7][8][6]
Medicinal uses
[10][11][12]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[16]
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
10
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
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
    Soil surface, 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

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    "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.




    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (32202/01/01)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (32202/01/01)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 ? The Plantsman. Vol.8. 1986 - 1987. Royal Horticultural Society (32202/01/01)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Organ. J. Gourds. Faber (32202/01/01)
    9. ? Fern, Ken www.pfaf.org Plants For a Future (2012/07/28)
    10. ? 10.010.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (32202/01/01)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)
    13. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (32202/01/01)
    14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
    15. ? Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (32202/01/01)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
    17. ? Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (32202/01/01)
    18. ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (32202/01/01)
    19. ? Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()


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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cucurbita_moschata&oldid=76677"
    Facts about "Cucurbita moschata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupNo +
    Belongs to familyCucurbitaceae +
    Belongs to genusCucurbita +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has common nameSquash + and Pumpkin +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +, Flowers +, Leaves + and Seeds +
    Has edible useCooked +, Dried +, Flour +, Salad +, Herb +, Fresh + and Oil +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of colourorange + and yellow +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone10 +
    Has imageCucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width5 +
    Has medicinal partSeeds + and Roots +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Vermifuge + and Galactogogue +
    Has primary imageCucurbita moschata HabitusFruit BotGardBln0906.JPG +
    Has search namecucurbita moschata + and x +
    Has seed requiring scarificationNo +
    Has seed requiring stratificationNo +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    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 moschata +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface + and Climber +
    Is grown fromSeeds +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates air pollutionNo +
    Tolerates maritime exposureNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Tolerates windNo +