Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Moschata squash seeds
Moschata squash varieties, including butternut squash and 'Muscade de Provence'
FIG-LEAF GOURD
Cucurbita ficifolia
Fig-leaf gourds are the most cold-tolerant of the cucurbits: in Mexico, chilacayote (as it is known
there) is grown at elevations of up to 8500 ft. (2600 m). Fruits store well, for up to two years; they are
reminiscent of watermelons in shape and color, being light to dark green with white spots and stripes.
They are also used similarly to the watermelon: in Mexico, Asia, and in some European countries, the
flesh is made into candy. Seeds too are eaten, roasted. Fig-leaf gourds are often described as being per-
ennial, but they produce fruit only once. They are sometimes grown in the understory of cucumbers
because of their resistance to fusarium fungi.
