Fingerleaf gourd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fingerleaf gourd |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cucurbita
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| Species: |
digitata
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Cucurbita digitata is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the squash family. People often call it the fingerleaf gourd or bitter squash. It looks a lot like other squash plants such as Cucurbita californica, Cucurbita cordata, Cucurbita cylindrata, and Cucurbita palmata. These plants can easily mix together and create new types.
These squash plants are special. They are the only ones in their group that are xerophytes. This means they are experts at living in very dry places. They are found in the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. These areas are hot and dry, with little rain. These plants like loose, gravelly, and well-drained soil.
C. digitata grows naturally in northern Baja California (at higher elevations), northern Sonora, Mexico, southern Arizona, and southwestern New Mexico. Young leaves of C. cylindrata, C. cordata, C. digitata, and C. palmata look very similar. But their older leaves and roots are quite different. C. palmata and C. digitata often grow in the same areas. The fruits of C. digitata are green with spots. They turn yellow when they are ripe. They are also striped and round.
The plant was first identified by a scientist named Asa Gray in 1853.
What Does the Fingerleaf Gourd Look Like?
Cucurbita digitata is a vining plant. This means it grows like a vine, spreading out. It has a hairy feel. Its leaves are shaped like a hand with five "fingers." This is why it's called the fingerleaf gourd. It looks very similar to its close relative, the coyote gourd (Cucurbita palmata). However, the "fingers" on its leaves are usually thinner.
The plant produces yellow flowers. These flowers curl and can be up to 5 centimeters wide.
Its Fruit and Seeds
The fruit of the fingerleaf gourd is a dark green squash. It is round or almost round. It has spots and clear white stripes. This fruit is very bitter and usually not good to eat for humans. Some animals might try to eat the flesh to get to the seeds inside.
Each white seed is about one centimeter long. These seeds are very nutritious. They are about 35% protein and 50% fat.
