They are used in Mexico to make palanquetas, a sweet similar to peanut brittle. The most nutritional part of Cucurbita ficifolia is its fat- and protein-rich seeds, which can vary in color from white to black. The flowers, leaves and tender shoots are used in Mexico and other countries as greens. Established plants, however can withstand short overnight frosts. Because it is not very resistant to frost, it is often planted after this risk has passed. Tendrils can grow into roots if anchored into the soil, and can propagate new plants once cut, which can be moved to new sites. ficifolia can be propagated through planting seeds and by layering. It is often used as a grafting rootstock for other less resistant cucurbits. The fig-leaved gourd grows in temperate highlands at elevations up to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). From there it has spread to many other parts of the world and picked up more names. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Europeans introduced it to the Mediterranean regions of Europe (specifically France and Portugal) as well as India. Now it is grown as far north as southern California. Biosystematics has been unable to confirm either hypothesis.Īrcheological records show that it was the most widespread variety of Cucurbita in the Americas, cultivated from northern Chile and Argentina to Mexico. However, archaeological evidence suggests Peru because the earliest remains have been found there. Linguistic evidence suggests Mexico, because of the wide use of names based on the Nahuatl name "chilacayohtli" as far south as Argentina. It is native to the Americas, although the exact center of domestication is unclear. The fruit can last without decomposing for several years if kept dry after harvest.
#Figleaf gourd when to pick up skin
Its skin can vary from light or dark green to cream. The fruit is oblong with a diameter of eight inches or 20 centimeters, weighs eleven to 13 pounds (5 to 6 kilograms), and can produce up to 500 seeds. The color of the flowers is yellow to orange. The plant is monoecious with imperfect flowers (meaning its flowers are either male or female but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by insects, especially bees. In stark contrast to other Cucurbita, its fruit is highly uniform in size, shape, and color. The fruit is oblong, resembling a watermelon, with wide black seeds. Its leaves resemble fig leaves, hence its most common name in English – fig-leaf gourd – and its Latin species name (C. The vine can become semiwoody if left to grow perennially, although most commercial plants are annual. It may root from the leaf axils, unlike most other curcubits. The plant stem can grow five to fifteen meters and produces tendrils that help it climb adjacent plants and structures. Unlike some other Cucurbita species, it does not have swollen storage roots. ficifolia is a climbing vine that is an annual in temperate climates and a perennial in tropical zones.
Like most members of the genus Cucurbita, C. Although it is closely related to other squashes in its genus, such as the cucumber, it shows considerable biochemical difference from them and does not hybridize readily with them. WIKIPEDIAĬucurbita ficifolia, which has many common names in English, is a type of squash grown for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens. Today it is spread through much of tropical America and is popularly cultivated from Mexico through Argentina. Native to the Americas, though the exact range is unknown. The protein-rich seeds are also eaten and are used to make palanquetas, a Mexican confection. Both the flowers and young shoots are eaten as leafy greens. Immature fruits can be cooked as a vegetable. Mature fruits have a sweet flavor and are used in desserts and beverages. The plant seems to show more tolerance to disease than many standard melons and has subsequently been used as a rootstock in some areas. They will climb but are easily grown as ground trailing plants.
#Figleaf gourd when to pick up full
The vines need regular water, full sun, and room for growth. Growing requirements are similar to standard melons. It can be grown as an annual in long summer season climates. Once mature fruits develop a hard rind that lends itself to extended storage. The fruits are noteworthy for their long storage life. A single plant is said to be able to produce up to 50 fruits. Fruits are oblong in shape and can grow up to 6-9" and weigh up to 10-15 pounds. Flowers are monoecious, but both male and female flowers are born separately on single plants, so only one plant is required to produce fruit. In frost-free climates, it can overwinter and produce for multiple years. Chilacayote - Figleaf Gourd seeds (Cucurbita ficifolia) Price for Package of 5 seeds.Ī climbing, annual or perennial vine that is vigorous in growth habit up to a few dozen feet.
0 kommentar(er)
