Squash from zucchini to pumpkins

Types of squash:

Life cycle of a pumpkin:

Life history:

• Squash are "monoecious" meaning each plant has both male and female structures.
• It takes many visits from pollinators to transfer enough pollen from the male to female reproductive structures and create a fruit.
• Squash flowers sequentially and not all at once over the course of their lifespan.

Native American story (3 sisters: corn, squash, beans)

History of squash:

• Squash is recognized by the Native American name "askutasquash" which means eaten raw.
• All squash derive from the Genus Cucurbita. There once were about 20 species of squash and 5 of those species have been domesticated to become our common squash varieties in the grocery store today.
• Squash is most diverse in Mexico, where it is believed to have originated. This means that the # of species of squash is highest there. The first evidence of domestication of squash comes caves in Mexico 10,000 years ago. This makes squash a really important early food for Native peoples.
• The distribution range of squash runs from the United States to Argentina.
• Summer squashes (yellow squash, zucchini) have qualities that allow for fast germination and growth, while winter squashes (pumpkins, gourds) have tough durable skin and it packed with nutrients and can be store for long periods of time. All of these make for excellent traits in vegetables.