Scientific Name:
Cucurbita maxima
Pronunciation:
kew-KUR-bit-uh MACKS-ih-muh
Common Name:
pumpkin, winter squash
Family Name:
Cucurbitaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true), Vine or climber
Key ID Features:
Large low creeping vine; leaves alternate, most blades orbicular, 15-25cm long and wide, small sharp serrations along margin, some palmately lobed; flowers trumpet-like, 12-17cm wide, bright yellow with ruffled edge; pepo large, commonly ripens orange (e.g. pumpkin).
Habit:
Horizontal, Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Very coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
5 - 7m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
South America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 9: (-7 to -1 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Urban agriculture
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Prickly, Palmate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Shapes:
Orbicular
Apices:
Obtuse
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Double serrate, Sinuate
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Yellow
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
Up to 15cm long; male flowers may be clustered
Fruit Type:
Edible, Pepo
Fruit Colour:
Orange
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Showy, Edible
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Tendrils
Propagation:
Seed
Other:
Companion plants: corn, bean.
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids, Beetles or weevils, Heteroptera - true bugs, Mildew, Slugs or snails, Wilt (Rabbit resistant)
