Cucurbita okeechobeensis
| Okeechobee gourd | |
|---|---|
| File:Cucurbita okeechob okeechob.jpg | |
| C. okeechobeensis subsp. okeechobeensis | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus: | Cucurbita |
| Species: | C. okeechobeensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cucurbita okeechobeensis | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Cucurbita okeechobeensis, the Okeechobee gourd, is a species of gourd belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, native to Mexico and the United States. There are two subspecies; one is endemic to Florida, primarily in the region around Lake Okeechobee, the other to the State of Veracruz in eastern Mexico.[4][5] Once abundant,[4] it has state and federal listing as an endangered species.[6] One of its peculiarities is the yellow corolla not so common in other Cucurbita species.
Description
[edit | edit source]A climbing vine, C. okeechobeensis leaves have irregular serrate margins with 5 to 7 angular, shallow lobes. Overall the leaf blades are heart or kidney-shaped. Young leaves are covered with downy hair. The bell-shaped flowers are cream-colored, with long corollas (6 to 7 cm).
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Male flower at anthesis
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Female flower at anthesis
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]The taxonomy of the species and subspecies is uncertain. It was formerly classified as Pepo okeechobeensis.[7]
Some authorities divide it into two subspecies:[8][9]
- Cucurbita okeechobeensis subsp. martinezii — Martinez gourd,[5] - State of Veracruz in Mexico
- Cucurbita okeechobeensis subsp. okeechobeensis — Okeechobee gourd - State of Florida in United States
Ecology
[edit | edit source]It was often found growing on abandoned alligator nests in pond apple (Annona glabra) groves near Lake Okeechobee.
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ The Plant List, Cucurbita okeechobeensis (Small) L.H.Bailey
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Florida Plant Atlas . accessed 7.7.2012
- ^ Pepo okeechobeensis - Small, J. New York Bot. Gard. 31: 12. 1930.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]- University of South Florida Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants — species account and distribution
- Center for Plant Conservation
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