Texas gourd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Texas gourd |
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| C. texana plant and young blossoms | |
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| C. texana fruit (left side) | |
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The Cucurbita texana, also known as the Texas gourd, is a wild plant that grows in Texas. It is a type of mesophytic plant, which means it likes to grow in places with a balanced amount of moisture. This plant is part of the Cucurbita family, which includes many well-known plants like pumpkins and squashes.
The Texas gourd is special because it only grows in the wild. Scientists believe it might be a very old relative of the pumpkins and squashes we eat today, which are called Cucurbita pepo. Another plant, Cucurbita fraterna, is also a close relative.
Discovering the Texas Gourd
The first time someone collected a Texas gourd plant was in 1835. A person named J. L. Berlandier found it in southern Texas. Later, in 1848, a scientist named George Heinrich Adolf Scheele officially described the plant. He gave it the name Tristemon texanus.
Then, in 1850, another scientist named Asa Gray moved the plant to the Cucurbita group. This is how it got its current scientific name, Cucurbita texana.
Where the Texas Gourd Grows
The Texas gourd prefers to grow in specific places. You can usually find it in or near sandy riverbeds. This type of habitat provides the right conditions for the plant to thrive. It is mostly found in the southeastern part of Texas.
