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The taxonomy, genetics, production and uses of the cultivated species ofCucurbita

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Abstract

Hundreds of varieties in the five recoǵnized species of this ǵenus, all native to the Americas, are the sources of the well known pumpkins and squashes, of which about 150,000 tons, fresh weiǵht, in 481/2 million No. 2 cans, is the annual canned pack alone in the United States. The seeds constitute a potential but so far wholly undeveloped source of valuable oil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U. S. Horticultural Field Station, La Jolla, California

    Thomas W. Whitaker (Geneticist) & G. W. Bohn (Pathologist)

  2. Division of Fruit and Vegetable Crops and Diseases, Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Research, Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, USA

    Thomas W. Whitaker (Geneticist) & G. W. Bohn (Pathologist)

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  1. Thomas W. Whitaker
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  2. G. W. Bohn
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Additional information

The opportunity is taken here to express our thanks to the several investigators who have aided by personal discussions in formulating the opinions contained herein, especially to Professor Carl O. Sauer of the University of California for helpful suggestions and encouragement and for collections ofCucurbita native in Mexico and elsewhere; and to Mr. Grady A. Sanderson, scientific aide, who furnished the photographs for the illustrations.

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Whitaker, T.W., Bohn, G.W. The taxonomy, genetics, production and uses of the cultivated species ofCucurbita . Econ Bot 4, 52–81 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859240

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