blackseed squash
Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché
Cucurbita ficifolia, known as blackseed squash, is a species of squash cultivated for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens. It is native to and widely grown from Argentina and Chile to Mexico, and is also cultivated in regions of India, Japan, Korea, China, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Angola. The plant belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and was first described in 1837.
Description
Cucurbita ficifolia is a species within the genus Cucurbita of the Cucurbitaceae family. Common names for this species include blackseed squash, chilacayote, cidra, fig-leaf gourd, and Malabar gourd. It is grown for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens. The species is cultivated in multiple regions, including Argentina, Chile, Mexico, India, Japan, Korea, China, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Angola. It was first described in 1837 and is found in various locations such as Terceira Island, SFF Iguaque, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, the Galápagos Islands, and several regions in the United States and Europe.
Other common names
Figleaf gourdcidrafig-leaf gourdMalabar gourdblackseed squashsidraFig-leaved Gourd
Distribution
Terceira Island · SFF Iguaque · PT · No especificado · Austria · Portugal · Spain · BR · Galápagos Islands · Antioquia, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Meta, Nariño, Putumayo, Santander · EC · conterminous 48 United States · Belgium · Flemish Region · Walloon Region · Argentina Northwest · Assam · Bolivia · California · Chile North · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cuba · Ecuador · El Salvador · Germany · Guatemala · Leeward Is. · Mexico Central · Mexico Gulf
Synonyms
Cucurbita ficifolia f. melanospermaCucurbita melanospermaCucurbita mexicanaCucurbita ficifolia f. leucospermaCucurbita ficifolia var. mexicanaPepo malabaricusPepo ficifolia
