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.
| Okeechobee gourd | |
|---|---|
| |
| C. okeechobeensis subsp. okeechobeensis | |
Scientific classification 
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| 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] | |
| |
Description
editA 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).
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Male flower at anthesis -
Female flower at anthesis
Taxonomy
editThe 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]
- Cucurbita okeechobeensis subsp. martinezii — Martinez gourd,[4] - State of Veracruz in Mexico
- Cucurbita okeechobeensis subsp. okeechobeensis — Okeechobee gourd - State of Florida in United States
Ecology
editIt was often found growing on abandoned alligator nests in pond apple (Annona glabra) groves near Lake Okeechobee.
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ The Plant List, Cucurbita okeechobeensis (Small) L.H.Bailey
- ^ a b Andres, Thomas C.; Nabhan, Gary P. (1988). "Taxonomic Rank and Rarity of Cucurbita okeechobeensis". Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report. 11. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University: 83–85.
- ^ a b Nee, Michael (1990). "The Domestication of Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae)". Economic Botany. 44 (3, Supplement: New Perspectives on the Origin and Evolution of New World Domesticated Plants). New York: New York Botanical Gardens Press: 56–68. Bibcode:1990EcBot..44S..56N. doi:10.1007/BF02860475. JSTOR 4255271. S2CID 40493539.
- ^ Florida Plant Atlas . accessed 7.7.2012
- ^ Pepo okeechobeensis - Small, J. New York Bot. Gard. 31: 12. 1930.
- ^ "Cucurbita okeechobeensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
- ^ "C. okeechobeensis ssp. okeechobeensis Five-year Review" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. September 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2013.