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Cucurbita argyrosperma
Cucurbita argyrosperma, commonly known as cushaw, kershaw, or silver-seed gourd, is a species of squash grown most frequently in North and Central America, and believed to originate from southern Mexico. This annual herbaceous plant is cultivated for its nutritional value: its flowers, shoots, and fruits are all harvested, but it is cultivated commonly in its native range for seeds.
The species is believed to have originated in Mexico, from its wild sororia form. The reference genome of this species was published in 2019. In precolonial America, archaeological remains have been found as far northward as the Eastern Agricultural Complex. The extant native range of the wild sororia type is from northern Mexico through Central America to Nicaragua, at elevations from sea level to 1,900m.
The species epiphet argyrosperma means "silver seeds" in reference to the distinctively-colored seed margins of certain varieties. Cucurbita argyrosperma was formerly known as C. mixta. Historically, some varieties now recognized as C. argyrosperma were assigned to Cucurbita moschata instead. A small number of true C. moschata varieties are still commonly known as cushaws.
The flowers are orange or yellow and bloom in July or August. The plant grows about 1 foot high and spreads 10–15 feet. It likes well drained soil and has both male and female flowers. Fruits can weigh up to 20 pounds.
A interspecific hybridization experiment in 1990 noted that as of that time Cucurbita argyrosperma was often grown in close proximity to Cucurbita moschata in Guatemala and Mexico. An interspecific variety called Chay Im'um in Mayan has been known to feature the seed quantity of Cucurbita moschata with the larger seed size of C. argyrosperma.
Some authorities have used the name Cucurbita mixta for this species, but argyrosperma has been shown to have precedence. Prior to the modern understanding of this species, many C. argyrosperma varieties were assigned to the species Cucurbita moschata. Genetic research shows that C. argyrosperma and C. moschata are closely related but distinct.
Cucurbita argyrosperma
The genus Cucurbita is endemic to the Americas, where it was more widely distributed in prehistoric times. Ecological shifts and the extinction of megafauna likely explain substantial reduction in wild Cucurbita populations during the Holocene epoch. The first example of a Curcubita species in cultivation is C. pepo which is believed to have been cultivated by inhabitants of Guilá Naquitz cave between 10,000 and 8,000 years ago.
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Cucurbita argyrosperma
Cucurbita argyrosperma, commonly known as cushaw, kershaw, or silver-seed gourd, is a species of squash grown most frequently in North and Central America, and believed to originate from southern Mexico. This annual herbaceous plant is cultivated for its nutritional value: its flowers, shoots, and fruits are all harvested, but it is cultivated commonly in its native range for seeds.
The species is believed to have originated in Mexico, from its wild sororia form. The reference genome of this species was published in 2019. In precolonial America, archaeological remains have been found as far northward as the Eastern Agricultural Complex. The extant native range of the wild sororia type is from northern Mexico through Central America to Nicaragua, at elevations from sea level to 1,900m.
The species epiphet argyrosperma means "silver seeds" in reference to the distinctively-colored seed margins of certain varieties. Cucurbita argyrosperma was formerly known as C. mixta. Historically, some varieties now recognized as C. argyrosperma were assigned to Cucurbita moschata instead. A small number of true C. moschata varieties are still commonly known as cushaws.
The flowers are orange or yellow and bloom in July or August. The plant grows about 1 foot high and spreads 10–15 feet. It likes well drained soil and has both male and female flowers. Fruits can weigh up to 20 pounds.
A interspecific hybridization experiment in 1990 noted that as of that time Cucurbita argyrosperma was often grown in close proximity to Cucurbita moschata in Guatemala and Mexico. An interspecific variety called Chay Im'um in Mayan has been known to feature the seed quantity of Cucurbita moschata with the larger seed size of C. argyrosperma.
Some authorities have used the name Cucurbita mixta for this species, but argyrosperma has been shown to have precedence. Prior to the modern understanding of this species, many C. argyrosperma varieties were assigned to the species Cucurbita moschata. Genetic research shows that C. argyrosperma and C. moschata are closely related but distinct.
Cucurbita argyrosperma
The genus Cucurbita is endemic to the Americas, where it was more widely distributed in prehistoric times. Ecological shifts and the extinction of megafauna likely explain substantial reduction in wild Cucurbita populations during the Holocene epoch. The first example of a Curcubita species in cultivation is C. pepo which is believed to have been cultivated by inhabitants of Guilá Naquitz cave between 10,000 and 8,000 years ago.