The Squash Family

1. Where can I find members of the Squash family? The squash family is predominately found in subtropical, temperate and even some cooler climates The Squash Family When should I grow plants from the squash family? There are two classifications of squash. These are “summer” squash and “winter” squash. These titles are actually deceptive because “summer” squash is on the market all winter while “winter” squash is on the market during late summer and fall, as well as throughout the winter. The crops earned these names during the time period when man depended on farming, thus the seasons were very important. The winter crops earned this name because they would keep through December. Familiar crops include: -Squash -Watermelon -Cucumber -Pumpkin -Gourds -Cantaloupe -Honeydew melon Cucurbitaceae 100 genera 850 species Note: only 14 of the genera are in North America KEYWORDS: vining plants with tendrils, funnel-shaped flowers, usually yellow or white, forming large, three- or four-celled fruits The common butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) on the vine Domain- Eukarya Kingdom- Plantae Division- Flowering Plants Class- Dicotyledon Order- Violet Works cited http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/Images/WeedHosts/WildCucumber2.jpgd: http://www.cucurbit.org/family.html Home Vegetable Gardening Handout http://www.theheartofnewengland.com/images/Wildflowers-wild_cucumber.JPG Botany in A Day, Thomas J. Elpel Wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata)