Okeechobee gourd
Cucurbita okeechobeensis (Small) L.H.Bailey
Cucurbita okeechobeensis, the Okeechobee gourd, is a gourd species in the Cucurbitaceae family, native to the United States and Mexico. It includes two subspecies: one found only in Florida, particularly around Lake Okeechobee, and the other in Veracruz, Mexico. The species is classified as endangered at both state and federal levels. It is distinguished by its yellow corolla, a feature less common in other Cucurbita species.
Description
Cucurbita okeechobeensis (Small) L.H.Bailey, known as the Okeechobee gourd, is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. It occurs in two subspecies: one endemic to the Lake Okeechobee region in Florida and the other in Veracruz, Mexico. Once more widespread, the species is now listed as endangered. A notable characteristic of this gourd is its yellow corolla, which differentiates it from many other species in the genus Cucurbita. The species was first described in 1930.
Other common names
Okeechobee gourd
Synonyms
Pepo okeechobeensis
