Gourd family plant characteristics
The gourd family –cucurbitaceae– comprises about 700 species spread mainly in warm countries. They are annual climbing plants. They are very valuable because of their huge eatable fruits (melon, pumpkin, cucumber, etc.)
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| Leaves (1): Generally palmately lobed. | |
| Stems (2): Climbing, sometimes with tendrils.(3) | |
| Flowers: Unisexual: | |
| Calyx (4): 5 sepals joined below. |
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| Corolla (5): 5 petals joined below. | |
| Stamens: 5 free, or 3 which seem free (1 free and 2 becoming from the union of 2 each one.) or 1 made by joining 5. | |
| Ovary: Inferior | |
| Stigmas: 3 |
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| Fruit:(6) Pepo |
and 
Genera
It comprises about 90 genera. The most important ones are the following:
CITRULLUS
CUCUMIS
More information on plants
This article was endorsed by Julián Masats - Technical agricultural engineer specialized in horticulture and gardening.
