The pumpkin's thick shell contains edible seeds and pulp. Today, pumpkins of varied species and cultivars are widely grown for food, as well as for decorative and cultural uses. pepo pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants, having been used as early as 7,000 to 5,500 BC. Native to North America (northeastern Mexico and the southern United States), C.
The term pumpkin is sometimes used interchangeably with 'squash' or 'winter squash', and is commonly used for some cultivars of Cucurbita argyrosperma, Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, and Cucurbita pepo.
For other uses, see Pumpkin (disambiguation).Ī pile of pumpkins at French Market in New Orleans, Louisiana A variety of pumpkin cultivars A field of giant pumpkinsĪ pumpkin is a vernacular and typical term for a cultivated orange and round mature winter squash of species and varieties in the genus Cucurbita that has culinary and cultural significance but there is no agreed upon botanical or scientific meaning, and depending on the vernacular, its color and shape may vary.
