Cucurbita argyrosperma var. stenosperma

(Pangalo) L. Merrick & D.M. Bates

Calabaza pipiana

Cucurbitaceae Edible: Seeds 723 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-nd

Summary

Cucurbita argyrosperma, commonly known as cushaw, kershaw, or silver-seed gourd, is a species of squash grown most frequently in North and Central America, and believed to originate from southern Mexico. This annual herbaceous plant is cultivated for its nutritional value: its flowers, shoots, and fruits are all harvested, but it is cultivated commonly in its native range for seeds. The species is believed to have originated in Mexico, from its wild sororia form. The reference genome of this species was published in 2019. In precolonial America, archaeological remains have been found as far northward as the Eastern Agricultural Complex. The extant native range of the wild sororia type is from northern Mexico through Central America to Nicaragua, at elevations from sea level to 1,900m. The species epiphet argyrosperma means "silver seeds" in reference to the distinctively-colored seed margins of certain varieties. Cucurbita argyrosperma was formerly known as C. mixta. Historically, some varieties now recognized as C. argyrosperma were assigned to Cucurbita moschata instead. A small number of true C. moschata varieties are still commonly known as cushaws.

Description

A subtropical pumpkin family plant cultivated for its seeds.

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Edible Uses

The seeds are edible.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Central America, Mexico, North America,

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Notes

There are 25 Cucurbita species.

Synonyms

Cucurbita mixta var. stenosperma Pangalo

References (3)

Baileya 23:96. 1989
USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/econ.pl (10 April 2000)
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 216