How many different types of gourds are there?

The Gourd Family (Cucurbitaceae) includes hundreds of species of vines bearing coiled, climbing tendrils and some of the most unusual fruits in the world. The total number of species may exceed 700, with at least 100 different genera.

What are common gourds?

The most common gourds are in two genera: Lagenaria, known as calabash or bottle gourds, and Cucurbita.

• Lagenaria: These decorative, thin-skinned gourds make great containers or birdhouses.
• Cucurbita: These gourds are multi-colored with thick, sometimes ridged shells, prickly leaves and stems, and yellow flowers.

What is difference between ash gourd and bottle gourd?

Ash gourd (Benincasa hispida) is an annular trailing or climbing herb and is cultivated widely in India. Bottle gourd contains all the essential amino acids and nutrients required for the normal human health (Rahman et al. 2003). Traditionally, this fruit is used as a cardiotonic and general tonic (Deshpande et al.

What are gourds vegetables?

Gourd is occasionally used to describe crop plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, like pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, luffa, and melons. More specifically, gourd refers to the fruits of plants in the two Cucurbitaceae genera Lagenaria and Cucurbita, or also to their hollow, dried-out shell.

What is the biggest gourd?

The heaviest gourd is a bushel gourd weighing 470 pounds 8 ounces (213.41 kilograms), grown by Steve Connolly (USA) and weighed at the Frerichs Farm SNGPG (Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers) Weigh-off in Warren, Rhode Island, USA, on 10 October 2020.

What is Ash gourd called in India?

Benincasa hispida
Ash gourd, scientifically termed Benincasa hispida, goes by several vernacular names such as “Petha” in Hindi, “Boodida Gummadi” in Telugu, “Neer Pooshnikkai” in Tamil and “Kumbalam” in Malayalam.

What colors do gourds come in?

Hard-skinned gourds tend to start out some shade of green, perhaps mottled with white. After drying or curing, they age to a tan or brown color. The soft-skinned gourds can be a riot of multi-colored combinations, including orange, yellow, green, white, and blue.

Is Bitter gourd poisonous?

CONCLUSIONS: As a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, bottle gourd contains toxic tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds called cucurbitacins which are responsible for the bitter taste and toxicity. There is no known antidote for this toxicity, and clinicians treat such patients symptomatically only.

Are gourds a fruit or vegetable?

Botanically speaking, squash and gourds are fruits because they are part of the flowering plants that contain the seeds—like grapes or melons, they’re the fruit that grows on a vine. In culinary terms, however, squash is typically prepared like a vegetable in savory recipes.

What gourds are poisonous?

Part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, watermelons and cucumbers, gourds are not toxic to humans, though those sold for decoration may need a good wash before being consumed. We turned to the experts to see if these autumnal decorations can actually be converted into tasty seasonal delights.

Where are gourds grown?

Most gourds are native to tropical or warm temperate climates. They require a long growing season to mature and are killed by frost. Well-drained fertile soil and a trellis, fence, or wall to provide support for the vines aid in the development of well-shaped unblemished fruits.

What is the world record for the biggest squash?

2,118 pounds
Retired cabinet maker Joe Jutras’ green squash weighed in at 2,118 pounds during a giant vegetable contest at Frerichs Farm in Warren, Rhode Island, securing the title of world’s largest, reports Michelle R. Smith at the Associated Press.