field pumpkin

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ornamental gourd
• pumpkin
• vegetable marrow
• zucchini
• Courgette
• Marrow
• Acorn squash
• Bitter bottle gourd
• Bush squash
• American Pumpkin and Summer Squashes
• American pumpkin
• Brazilian Pumpkin
• Kamokamo
• Kumikumi
• Ribbed Pumpkin
• Scallopini
• Summer Squash

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cucurbita pepo subvar. viridis
• Cucurbita pepo var. dimidiata
• Cucurbita pepo var. clavata
• Cucurbita pepo var. radiata
• Cucurbita pepo var. brayana
• Cucurbita pepo var. sphaeroleuca
• Cucurbita pepo var. chrysobela
• Cucurbita pepo var. taeniata
• Cucurbita pepo var. diachrysa
• Cucurbita pepo convar. clypeata
• Cucurbita pepo convar. pyriformis
• Cucurbita pepo var. aurantia
• Pepo aurantius
• Cucurbita pepo convar. giromontia
• Cucurbita pepo convar. citrullina
• Cucurbita pepo var. rhenana
• Cucurbita pepo var. valesiaca
• Cucurbita citrullus var. alba
• Cucurbita pyxidaris var. persica
• Cucurbita pepo var. viridis
• Cucurbita pepo var. lutea
• Cucurbita pepo var. elongata
• Cucurbita fastuosa
• Cucurbita lignosa
• Cucurbita variegata
• Cucurbita urnigera
• Cucurbita venosa
• Citrullus variegatus
• Pepo potiron
• Pepo vulgaris
• Pepo citrullus
• Pepo clypeiformis
• Pepo oblongus
• Cucurbita oblonga
• Cucurbita pepo var. subrotunda
• Cucurbita pepo var. condensa
• Cucurbita pepo f. flava
• Cucurbita hybrida
• Cucurbita pepo f. alba
• Cucurbita pepo var. medullosa
• Cucurbita pepo f. viridis
• Cucurbita pepo var. oblonga
• Cucurbita pepo var. torticollis
• Cucurbita pepo var. rotunda
• Cucurbita mammeata
• Cucurbita pepo var. ovalis
• Cucurbita citrullus var. viridis
• Cucurbita mammosa
• Cucurbita citrullus var. grisea
• Cucurbita citrullus var. flava
• Cucurbita aurantia
• Cucurbita clodiensis
• Cucurbita citrullus var. variegata
• Cucurbita ceratoceras
• Cucurbita pomiformis var. alba
• Cucurbita courgero
• Cucurbita pomiformis var. flava
• Cucurbita elongata
• Cucurbita esculenta
• Cucurbita pyxidaris var. flava-minor
• Cucurbita pyxidaris var. flava-major
• Cucurbita pyxidaris var. flavostriata
• Cucurbita pepo var. akoda
• Cucurbita pyxidaris var. bicolor
• Cucurbita pepo var. americana
• Cucurbita pepo var. leucotyrus
• Cucurbita pepo var. fibropulposa
• Cucurbita pepo var. pastalis
• Cucurbita pepo var. flogra
• Cucurbita pepo var. coronalis
• Cucurbita pepo var. georgica
• Cucurbita pepo var. mitriformis
• Cucurbita pepo subsp. gumala
• Cucurbita pepo convar. pomiformis
• Cucurbita pepo var. kintogwa
• Cucurbita pyridaris
• Cucurbita pepo var. dinomela
• Cucurbita pyxidaris
• Cucurbita pepo var. leucomela
• Cucurbita pepo var. toonas
• Cucurbita polymorpha
• Cucurbita pepo var. persica
• Cucurbita pomiformis
• Cucurbita pepo var. xanthapion
• Cucurbita tuberculosa
• Cucurbita pepo var. pyrula
• Cucurbita pepo var. taenapion
• Cucurbita succado
• Cucurbita succedo
• Cucurbita pepo var. patagonica
• Cucurbita pepo var. schneebergeri
• Cucumis zapallo
• Cucurbita pepo var. massiliensis
• Cucumis pepo
• Cucurbita pepo var. italica
• Cucurbita pepo var. larnacana
• Cucurbita pepo var. barbarica
• Cucurbita pepo var. australis
• Cucurbita pepo var. scutiformis
• Cucurbita pepo var. polkii
• Cucurbita pepo var. diplacra
• Cucurbita pepo var. draconina
• Cucurbita pepo var. turonensis
• Cucurbita pepo var. hispanica
• Cucurbita pepo var. brasilica
• Cucurbita pepo var. courgero
• Cucurbita pepo var. genevensis
• Cucurbita pepo var. storkiana
• Cucurbita pepo var. diachroa
• Cucurbita pepo var. luteoalba
• Cucurbita pepo var. metzgeriana
• Cucurbita pepo var. hassiaca
• Cucurbita pepo var. icterina
• Cucurbita pepo var. phaeotaenia
• Cucurbita pepo var. serinina
• Cucurbita pepo var. oriolina
• Cucurbita pepo var. marginalis
• Cucurbita pepo var. sturnina
• Cucurbita pepo var. numidica
• Cucurbita pepo var. thelomela
• Cucurbita pepo var. thelomedica
• Cucurbita pepo var. thelechusa
• Cucurbita pepo var. cyphechusa
• Cucurbita pepo var. bombinina
• Cucurbita pepo var. chrysothela
• Cucurbita pepo var. dochnahlii
• Cucurbita pepo subvar. nigra
• Cucurbita pepo var. vulgaris
• Cucurbita pepo var. bicolor
• Cucurbita pepo var. praecox
• Cucurbita pepo var. pyxidaris
• Cucurbita pepo var. phyllapion

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is classified under the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cucurbita, which includes the species Cucurbita pepo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Cucurbita pepo, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends to the northern territories of Finland. The species is also documented throughout Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range encompasses the nations of Norway and Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cucurbita pepo is characterized by a broad adaptability to various environments, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. This species thrives in diverse landscapes, including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), the Cerrado biome (latu sensu), and Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual). Within these ecosystems, the plant utilizes specific defense mechanisms to ensure its survival and resilience against environmental pressures and herbivory.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Cucurbita pepo is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form that survives the unfavorable seasons as a dormant seed, allowing it to rapidly colonize favorable environments once conditions become suitable. This classification as a therophyte defines its growth habit, as the plant avoids long-term vegetative persistence and instead focuses its energy on vigorous seasonal growth and prolific reproductive output before the onset of senescence.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cucurbita pepo is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant that exhibits a vine-like climbing habit, specifically acting as an obligatory climber. The shoot orientation is predominantly prostrate, though it can extend significantly, with shoot lengths reaching a maximum of 1000 cm. In terms of vertical dimension, the plant height varies widely, with a minimum of 2 m, a mean height of 3.05 m, and a maximum height that can reach up to 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

3.05 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Shoot length max:

1000 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cucurbita pepo is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among many temperate plant species. Its vegetative architecture is defined by large, non-succulent leaves that exhibit a lobed form, optimized for light interception and gas exchange. On average, the leaves possess a mean surface area of 289.65 cm², with a mean width of 30 cm (a value that remains consistent across both minimum and maximum recorded widths) and a maximum leaf length reaching 40 cm. These morphological traits contribute to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 176.2 cm²/g, reflecting the plant's strategy for balancing biomass investment with photosynthetic capacity. Furthermore, the plant is non-carnivorous and lacks the ability to perform biological nitrogen fixation, relying instead on soil nutrient availability to support its vigorous growth and large leaf development.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

lobed

Leaf length max:

40 cm

Leaf size mean:

289.65 cm²

Leaf width mean:

30 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

176.2 cm²/g

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cucurbita pepo is a sexual process characterized by a monoecious breeding system, meaning that both male and female flowers are present on the same plant, although self-fertilization is noted as present. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through September. The flowers are visually distinct, featuring a yellow color and reaching a maximum width of 11 cm. Pollination is driven by a biotic syndrome, specifically relying on insects, with bees playing a primary role in the transfer of pollen. Once successful fertilization occurs, the plant develops large fruits that can reach a maximum width of 50 cm. The resulting seeds vary in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 7 mm to a maximum of 15 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds have a mean weight of approximately 0.171 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0872 g to a maximum of 0.293 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a hydrochorous syndrome, utilizing water as the primary medium for movement. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower width max:

11 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit width max:

50 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed length max:

15 mm

Seed length min:

7 mm

Seed mass max:

0.293 g

Seed mass mean:

0.171336666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0872 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cucurbita pepo has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, fruit, leaf.

Seed

1. Heliyon
2. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Fruit

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Leaf

1. Heliyon

Chemicals

Cucurbita pepo has 167 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include linoleic acid, oleic acid, Fatty acids, Phytosterols, squalene.

linoleic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Lipids in health and disease
3. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
4. Nutrition research reviews
5. Journal of oleo science

oleic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
3. Nutrition research reviews
4. Journal of oleo science

Fatty acids

1. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety
2. Heliyon
3. Lipids in health and disease

Phytosterols

1. Dr. Duke
2. BioMed research international
3. Lipids in health and disease

squalene

1. Dr. Duke
2. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety
3. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Ascorbate Oxidase

1. Dr. Duke
2. European journal of biochemistry

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon
2. Nutrition research reviews

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

1. BioMed research international
2. Lipids in health and disease

Steroids

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon

Tocopherols

1. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety
2. Lipids in health and disease

Activities

Cucurbita pepo has 645 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antimalarial.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety
3. Journal of applied oral science : revista FOB
4. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
5. Nutrition research reviews

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
4. Open life sciences

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon

Antimicrobial

1. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety
2. Open life sciences

Antiproliferative

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Archivio italiano di urologia, andrologia : organo ufficiale [di] Societa italiana di ecografia urologica e nefrologica

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Cucurbita pepo has 38 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, Bacillus cereus, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Candida albicans.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations