Okeechobee gourd
C. okeechobeensis subsp. okeechobeensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Cucurbita
Species:
C. okeechobeensis
Binomial name
Cucurbita okeechobeensis
Synonyms[2]
  • Pepo okeechobeensis Small

Cucurbita okeechobeensis, the Okeechobee gourd, is a species of gourd in the family Cucurbitaceae, native to Mexico and the United States. There are two subspecies; one is endemic to Florida, primarily in the region around Lake Okeechobee, the other to the State of Veracruz in eastern Mexico.[3][4] Once abundant,[3] it has state and federal listing as an endangered species.[5] One of its peculiarities is the yellow corolla not so common in other Cucurbita species.

Description

A climbing vine, C. okeechobeensis leaves have irregular serrate margins with 5 to 7 angular, shallow lobes. Overall the leaf blades are heart or kidney-shaped. Young leaves are covered with downy hair. The bell-shaped flowers are cream-colored, with long corollas (6 to 7 cm).

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of the species and subspecies is uncertain. It was formerly classified as Pepo okeechobeensis.[6]

Some authorities divide it into two subspecies:[7][8]

Ecology

It was often found growing on abandoned alligator nests in pond apple (Annona glabra) groves near Lake Okeechobee.

References

  1. ↑ Contreras, A. (2016). "Cucurbita okeechobeensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T20742877A20755891. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20742877A20755891.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ↑ The Plant List, Cucurbita okeechobeensis (Small) L.H.Bailey
  3. 1 2 Andres, Thomas C.; Nabhan, Gary P. (1988). "Taxonomic Rank and Rarity of Cucurbita okeechobeensis". Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University. 11: 83–85.
  4. 1 2 Nee, Michael (1990). "The Domestication of Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae)". Economic Botany. New York: New York Botanical Gardens Press. 44 (3, Supplement: New Perspectives on the Origin and Evolution of New World Domesticated Plants): 56–68. doi:10.1007/BF02860475. JSTOR 4255271. S2CID 40493539.
  5. ↑ Florida Plant Atlas . accessed 7.7.2012
  6. ↑ Pepo okeechobeensis - Small, J. New York Bot. Gard. 31: 12. 1930.
  7. ↑ "Cucurbita okeechobeensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  8. ↑ "C. okeechobeensis ssp. okeechobeensis Five-year Review" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. September 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
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