What is the meaning of Cucurbitaceae?
What is the meaning of Cucurbitaceae?
Definition of Cucurbitaceae : a family of chiefly herbaceous tendril-bearing vines (order Campanulales) that are characterized by an inferior ovary and anthers usually united and that include food plants (as the cucumber, melon, squash, and pumpkin), drug plants (as the colocynth), and ornamental plants (as the gourds)
Is Cucurbitaceae edible?
Cucurbitaceae family (gourd family) encompasses several edible plants belonging to the genera Cucurbita, Citrullus, Cucumis, Momordica, Benincasa, and Luffa, among others [1], [2]. These fruits and vegetables include pumpkin, winter melon, squash, zucchini, watermelon, cucumber, bitter melon, ribbed gourd, luffa etc.
What vegetables are in the Cucurbitaceae family?
The Gourd Family (Cucurbitaceae) Including squash, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Overview-These are a group of ornamental trailing or climbing plants. They are sometimes called the “vine vegetables”.
How do you identify Cucurbitaceae?
Most species have unisexual flowers that are borne in the leaf axils and have five white or yellow petals. There are five sepals in each flower; male flowers have up to five anthers, often fused or joined in a complex way, and female flowers usually have three carpels.
Is a cucumber related to a zucchini?
Fruit or Vegetable: Though they may look similar, cucumbers and zucchini do not belong to the same family. Cucumbers belong to the gourd family while zucchini belongs to the Cucurbita family. On the other hand, zucchinis have a heartier flavor and may even tend to be slightly bitter.
Is watermelon related to cucumber?
Cucumber, melon, and watermelon are originally from the Old World (primarily Africa and Asia). Although they are in the same family (Cucurbitaceae) with the squashes, pumpkins, and gourds (mostly of the genus Cucurbita ), they are only distantly related. Together, plants in this family are called cucurbits.
What are the characteristics of Cucurbitaceae?
The Cucurbitaceae are mostly prostrate or climbing herbaceous annuals comprising about 90 genera and 700 species that are further characterized by commonly having 5-angled stems and coiled tendrils. The leaves are alternate and usually palmately 5-lobed or divided; stipules are absent.
Is Cucurbitacin toxic?
When eaten in small amounts, cucurbitacins impart a slightly bitter taste and are not harmful. In larger amounts, however, the toxin may produce a strongly bitter taste and cause stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Cucurbitacin poisoning is rare. But it does occur.
How do you pronounce Momordica charantia?
Momordica charantia Pronunciation. Mo·mordi·ca cha·ran·ti·a.
Are zucchinis cucurbits?
The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: Cucurbita – squash, pumpkin, zucchini, some gourds. Lagenaria – calabash, and others that are inedible. Citrullus – watermelon (C.
What kind of plants are in the Cucurbitaceae?
Cucurbitaceae. Cucurbitaceae, the gourd family of flowering plants, belonging to the order Cucurbitales and containing 98 genera and about 975 species of food and ornamental plants. Members of the family are annual or perennial herbs native to temperate and tropical areas and include cucumbers, gourds, melons, squashes, and pumpkins.
Which is the most common family of cucurbits?
The Cucurbitaceae family is the species with the most food used for human consumption. The common types of cucurbits that we are familiar with include such things as: Many people don’t know that gourds are included in this group as well. All cucurbits, except the bottle gourd, have bright yellow flowers.
What are the members of the legume family?
Beans and peas are often referred to as “legumes” or as “leguminous crops.” The legume family includes edible beans, peas, and peanuts as well as numerous forage crops (alfalfa and clover), herbaceous ornamentals (indigo, wisteria and hyacinth bean), and trees (mimosa, redbud, and locust).
What kind of vegetable is a Cucurbita maxima?
C. vulgaris var. fistulosus is Tinda which is used as vegetable. 3. Cucurbita maxima is Kaddu: Cucurbita maxima is Kaddu while C. pepo is Safed Kaddu; both are used as vegetable. 4. Benincasa heipida is Petha: Benincasa heipida is Petha. It is used as vegetable; PETHE-KI-MITHAI is also prepared from the fruits.
