Cucurbita okeechobeensis
Okeechobee gourd | |
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C. okeechobeensis subsp. okeechobeensis | |
Imperiled (NatureServe) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Cucurbitales |
Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
Genus: | Cucurbita |
Species: | C. okeechobeensis
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Binomial name | |
Cucurbita okeechobeensis (Small) L.H.Bailey 1930
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Synonyms[1] | |
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Cucurbita okeechobeensis, the Okeechobee gourd, is a species of gourd in 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.[2][3] Once abundant,[2] it has state and federal listing as an endangered species.[4]
One of its peculiarities is the yellow corolla not so common in other Cucurbita species
Taxonomy[]
The taxonomy of the species and subspecies is uncertain. It was formerly classified as Pepo okeechobeensis.[5]
Some authorities divide it into two subspecies:[6][7]
- Cucurbita okeechobeensis subsp. martinezii — Martinez gourd,[3] - State of Veracruz in Mexico
- Cucurbita okeechobeensis subsp. okeechobeensis — Okeechobee gourd - State of Florida in United States
Description[]
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).
Ecology[]
It was often found growing on abandoned alligator nests in pond apple (Annona glabra) groves near Lake Okeechobee.
References[]
- ^ The Plant List, Cucurbita okeechobeensis (Small) L.H.Bailey
- ^ Jump up to: a b Andres, Thomas C.; Nabhan, Gary P. (1988). "Taxonomic Rank and Rarity of Cucurbita okeechobeensis". Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University. 11: 83–85.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Nee, Michael (1990). "The Domestication of Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae)". Economic Botany. New York: New York Botanical Gardens Press. 44 (3, Supplement: New Perspectives on the Origin and Evolution of New World Domesticated Plants): 56–68. doi:10.1007/BF02860475. JSTOR 4255271. S2CID 40493539.
- ^ Florida Plant Atlas . accessed 7.7.2012
- ^ Pepo okeechobeensis - Small, J. New York Bot. Gard. 31: 12. 1930.
- ^ "Cucurbita okeechobeensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved September 9, 2013.
- ^ "C. okeechobeensis ssp. okeechobeensis Five-year Review" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. September 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
External links[]
- NatureServe imperiled species
- Cucurbita
- Flora of Florida
- Flora of Veracruz
- Squashes and pumpkins
- Vines
- Plants described in 1930
- Endangered biota of Mexico
- Endangered flora of the United States