How many species are there in Cucurbitaceae?
965 species
The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: Cucurbita – squash, pumpkin, zucchini, some gourds.
What are 4 members of the Cucurbitaceae family?
MELONS, SQUASHES, AND GOURDS The Cucurbitaceae family encompasses over 800 species of plants known collectively as gourds or cucurbits. These include cucumbers, melons, watermelons, pumpkins, squash, and many others.
What are the characteristics of Cucurbitaceae?
The Cucurbitaceae are mostly prostrate or climbing herbaceous annuals comprising about 90 genera and 700 species that are further characterized by commonly having 5-angled stems and coiled tendrils. The leaves are alternate and usually palmately 5-lobed or divided; stipules are absent.
What is the meaning of Cucurbitaceae?
Cucurbitaceae, the gourd family of flowering plants, belonging to the order Cucurbitales and containing 98 genera and about 975 species of food and ornamental plants. Members of the family are annual or perennial herbs native to temperate and tropical areas and include cucumbers, gourds, melons, squashes, and pumpkins.
How do you identify Cucurbitaceae?
The Gourd family is as easy to recognize as pumpkins and squash. Look closely at one of these flowers and you will know the family. Male and female parts are borne on separate funnel-shaped flowers. There are 5 separate sepals and 5 united petals (rarely 6 of each).
What are cucurbits and give examples?
Bitter melonSquashCucumberIvy gourdLuffaCalabash
Cucurbits/Lower classifications
Is a cucumber a cucurbit?
Members of the cucumber family, known as cucurbits, can be planted now. They include summer squash, zucchini, winter squash, mirliton, pumpkin, gourd, cucuzzi, watermelon, cantaloupe, cushaw, luffa and, of course, cucumber.
What foods are in the Cucurbitaceae family?
The Gourd Family (Cucurbitaceae) Including squash, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Overview-These are a group of ornamental trailing or climbing plants. They are sometimes called the “vine vegetables”.
Which is Cucurbitaceae crop?
The Cucurbitaceae family possesses economically important species including cucumber, melon, watermelon, calabash, squash, and pumpkin.
Is watermelon a cucurbit?
Curcurbits (Crop Group 9) include the melon subgroup (muskmelons and watermelons), and the squash subgroup (cucumbers and gourds, etc.) These crops are important in all regions.
Is a courgette a cucurbit?
zucchini, (Cucurbita pepo), also called courgette, variety of summer squash in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), grown for its edible fruits. Zucchinis are common in home gardens and supermarkets, and the young fruits are cooked as a vegetable. The flowers are also edible and are sometimes fried.
Is Cucurbitacin toxic?
Cucurbitacin B, whose structure is shown, is extremely toxic when ingested (see hazard information box); E is not as toxic but is still harmful if swallowed. Cucurbitacins are also known as “bitter principles” of cucurbits.
What type of fruit is found in Cucurbitaceae?
Is eggplant a cucurbit?
The group includes: fleshy fruits of the cucurbitaceae (melon, squash, cucumber) and solaneaceae (pepper, eggplant) families that are eaten raw or after cooking. legumes other than soybean that are eaten as vegetables such as peas and beans.
Is cucumber a gourd?
Formally known by their scientific name Cucumis sativus, cucumbers are a member of the gourd, or Cucurbitaceae, family of plants ( 1 ). They originated in various parts of Southeast Asia but are currently grown all over the world.
Are cucumbers a Curcubit?
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely-cultivated creeping vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae family that bears usually cylindrical fruits, which are used as vegetables….
| Cucumber | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Cucumis |
| Species: | C. sativus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cucumis sativus L. |
Is cucumber skin poisonous?
These days, consumers are provided with different varieties of cucumbers which have sweeter and more palatable skins and definitely not toxic. In fact, the skin of cucumber is a source of dietary fibre and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and molybdenum.
Do cucumbers have poison?
As it turns out, some members of the Cucurbitaceae family — which includes pumpkins, squash, melons and cucumbers — can produce a group of chemicals known as cucurbitacins. Not only do these chemicals taste bitter, but they can also have toxic effects on human cells.