The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

consisting of about 965 species in around 95

genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...

, of which the most important to humans are: *''

Cucurbita ''Cucurbita'' (Latin for gourd) is a genus of herbaceous fruits in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae (also known as ''cucurbits'' or ''cucurbi''), native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. Five edible species are grown and consumed for their flesh and ...

'' – squash,

pumpkin A pumpkin is a vernacular term for mature winter squash of species and varieties in the genus ''Cucurbita'' that has culinary and cultural significance but no agreed upon botanical or scientific meaning. The term ''pumpkin'' is sometimes use ...

, zucchini, some gourds *'' Lagenaria'' – calabash, and others that are inedible *'' Citrullus'' – watermelon (''C. lanatus'', ''C. colocynthis'') and others *'' Cucumis'' –

cucumber Cucumber (''Cucumis sativus'') is a widely-cultivated Vine#Horticultural climbing plants, creeping vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae family that bears usually cylindrical Fruit, fruits, which are used as culinary vegetables.

(''C. sativus''), various

melon A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet, edible, and fleshy fruit. The word "melon" can refer to either the plant or specifically to the fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a "pepo". The ...

s and vines *'' Momordica'' –

bitter melon ''Momordica charantia'' (commonly called bitter melon; Goya; bitter apple; bitter gourd; bitter squash; balsam-pear; with many more names listed below) is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Afri ...

*'' Luffa'' – the common name is also luffa, sometimes spelled loofah (when fully ripened, two species of this fibrous

fruit In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants that is formed from the ovary after flowering. Fruits are the means by which flowering plants (also known as angiosperms) disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particu ...

are the source of the loofah scrubbing sponge) *'' Cyclanthera'' –

Caigua ''Cyclanthera pedata'', known as ''caigua'', is a herbaceous vine grown for its edible fruit, which is predominantly used as a vegetable. It is known from cultivation only, and its use goes back many centuries as evidenced by ancient phytomorph ...

The plants in this family are grown around the tropics and in temperate areas, where those with edible fruits were among the earliest cultivated plants in both the Old and New Worlds. The family Cucurbitaceae ranks among the highest of plant families for number and percentage of species used as human food. The name ''Cucurbitaceae'' comes to

international scientific vocabulary International scientific vocabulary (ISV) comprises scientific and specialized words whose language of origin may or may not be certain, but which are in current use in several modern languages (that is, translingually, whether in naturalized, loa ...

from New Latin, from ''

'', the type genus, + '' -aceae'', a standardized

suffix In linguistics, a suffix is an affix which is placed after the stem of a word. Common examples are case endings, which indicate the grammatical case of nouns, adjectives, and verb endings, which form the conjugation of verbs. Suffixes can carry ...

for plant family names in modern taxonomy. The genus name comes from the

Classical Latin Classical Latin is the form of Literary Latin recognized as a literary standard by writers of the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire. It was used from 75 BC to the 3rd century AD, when it developed into Late Latin. In some later periods ...

word ''

cucurbita ''Cucurbita'' (Latin for gourd) is a genus of herbaceous fruits in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae (also known as ''cucurbits'' or ''cucurbi''), native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. Five edible species are grown and consumed for their flesh and ...

'', "gourd".

Description

Most of the plants in this family are annual

vine A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themselv ...

s, but some are woody

liana A liana is a long- stemmed, woody vine that is rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in search of direct sunlight. The word ''liana'' does not refer to a ta ...

s, thorny shrubs, or trees (''

Dendrosicyos ''Dendrosicyos'' is a monotypic genus in the plant family (biology), family Cucurbitaceae. The only species is ''Dendrosicyos socotranus'', the cucumber tree. The species is endemism, endemic to the island of Socotra in Yemen, and is the only spe ...

''). Many species have large, yellow or white flowers. The stems are hairy and pentangular.

Tendril In botany, a tendril is a specialized stem, leaf or petiole with a threadlike shape used by climbing plants for support and attachment, as well as cellular invasion by parasitic plants such as ''Cuscuta''. There are many plants that have tendr ...

s are present at 90° to the leaf petioles at nodes. Leaves are

exstipulate In botany, a stipule is an outgrowth typically borne on both sides (sometimes on just one side) of the base of a leafstalk (the petiole). Stipules are considered part of the anatomy of the leaf of a typical flowering plant, although in many speci ...

, alternate, simple

palmately The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

lobed or palmately compound. The flowers are

unisexual Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproductio ...

, with male and female flowers on different plants (

dioecious Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproductio ...

) or on the same plant (

monoecious Monoecy (; adj. monoecious ) is a sexual system in seed plants where separate male and female cones or flowers are present on the same plant. It is a monomorphic sexual system alongside gynomonoecy, andromonoecy and trimonoecy. Monoecy is conne ...

). The female flowers have inferior ovaries. The fruit is often a kind of modified

berry A berry is a small, pulpy, and often edible fruit. Typically, berries are juicy, rounded, brightly colored, sweet, sour or tart, and do not have a stone or pit, although many pips or seeds may be present. Common examples are strawberries, raspb ...

called a

pepo PEPO Lappeenranta (abbreviated PEPO) is a football club from Lappeenranta in Finland. The club was formed in 1958 and their home ground is at the Kimpinen Sports Centre. The men's first team currently plays in the Ykkönen (Second Division). ...

Fossil history

One of the oldest

fossil A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved ...

cucurbits so far is †''Cucurbitaciphyllum lobatum'' from the

Paleocene The Paleocene, ( ) or Palaeocene, is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 66 to 56 mya (unit), million years ago (mya). It is the first epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), E ...

epoch, found at Shirley Canal,

Montana Montana () is a state in the Mountain West division of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbi ...

. It was described for the first time in 1924 by the paleobotanist

Frank Hall Knowlton Frank Hall Knowlton (September 2, 1860 - November 22, 1926) was an American botanist, ornithologist and naturalist. Born in Vermont, he joined the Geological Survey and took an interest in fossil plants in the local lignite, later becoming a sp ...

. The fossil leaf is

palmate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

, trilobed with rounded lobal sinuses and an entire or serrate margin. It has a

leaf A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, ste ...

pattern similar to the members of the genera '' Kedrostis'', ''

Melothria ''Melothria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, native to the Americas from the United States to Argentina, and with some introductions in Africa and elsewhere. A number of Old World species formerly in ''Melothria'' wer ...

'' and ''

Zehneria ''Zehneria'' is a genus of flowering plants – of vines in the cucumber and gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It contains about 35 species ranging from Africa, through Southeast Asia to Australia and Oceania. The name honours botanical artist Jos ...

''.

Classification

Tribal classification

2016-11-10 Cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) Madrid Botanico

The most recent classification of Cucurbitaceae delineates 15

tribes The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in part due to conflic ...

: * Tribe Gomphogyneae Benth. & Hook.f. ** ''

Alsomitra ''Alsomitra'' is a genus of the plant family Cucurbitaceae (the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin family). The seeds of ''Alsomitra macrocarpa'' are among the largest winged seeds in the plant kingdom and their shape inspired a number of aviation pi ...

'' (Blume) Spach (1 sp.) ** ''

Bayabusua ''Bayabusua'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Malaysian Peninsula The Malay Peninsula ( Malay: ''Semenanjung Tanah Melayu'') is a peninsula in Mainland Southeast Asia. The landmass ...

'' (1 sp.) ** '' Gomphogyne'' Griff. (2 spp.) ** ''

Gynostemma ''Gynostemma'' is a genus of perennial climbing vines in the Cucurbitaceae, cucumber, gourd, and melon family, comprising at least 19 species, all native to the tropical East or Far East, inclusive of the Himalayas: China (with 9 endemism, endemi ...

'' Blume (10 spp.) ** ''

Hemsleya ''Hemsleya'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Eastern Himalayas to southern China and Papuasia. It is native to the countries of Assam (in India), Bismarck Archipelago (island group, part ...

'' Cogn. ex F.B.Forbes & Hemsl. (30 spp.) ** ''

Neoalsomitra ''Neoalsomitra'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Squash Family (Cucurbitaceae). Its native range is Tropical and Subtropical Asia to Fiji. Species Species: *''Neoalsomitra angustipetala'' *''Neoalsomitra balansae'' *''Neoalso ...

'' Hutch. (12 spp.) * Tribe Triceratieae A.Rich. ** ''

Anisosperma ''Fevillea'' is a genus of the plant family Cucurbitaceae (the cucumber, Squash (fruit), squash, and pumpkin family). Some references suggest that there is only one member of this genus, ''Fevillea cordifolia'' (antidote vine). Other online sour ...

'' Silva Manso (1 sp.) ** '' Cyclantheropsis'' Harms (3 spp.) ** ''

Fevillea ''Fevillea'' is a genus of the plant family Cucurbitaceae (the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin family). Some references suggest that there is only one member of this genus, '' Fevillea cordifolia'' (antidote vine). Other online sources make refere ...

'' L. (8 spp.) ** '' Pteropepon'' (Cogn.) Cogn. (5 spp.) ** ''

Sicydium ''Sicydium'' is a genus of gobies native to fast-flowing streams and rivers of the Americas (Central America, Mexico, Cocos Island, the Caribbean, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela) with a couple species native to Middle Africa. Species There are ...

'' Schltdl. (7 spp.) * Tribe Zanonieae Benth. & Hook.f. ** '' Gerrardanthus'' Harvey in Hook.f. (3–5 spp.) ** '' Siolmatra'' Baill. (1 sp.) ** ''

Xerosicyos ''Xerosicyos'' is a flowering plant genus of the family (biology), family Cucurbitaceae. Its name comes from Greek language, Greek ''xeros'' (meaning "dry") and ''sicyos'' ("cucumber"). There are three species, all endemic to Madagascar. ''Xero ...

'' Humbert (5 spp.) ** ''

Zanonia ''Zanonia'' is a monotypic genus in the flowering plant family Cucurbitaceae (the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin family). The only species is ''Zanonia indica'', a medium-sized liana found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia east to Ne ...

'' L. (1 sp.) * Tribe

Actinostemmateae ''Actinostemma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, native to east Asia. They are slender, weakly twining/climbing annual herbs. Species Currently accepted species include: *''Actinostemma lobatum'' (Maxim.) Maxim ...

H.Schaef. & S.S.Renner ** ''

Actinostemma ''Actinostemma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important ...

'' Griff. (3 spp.) * Tribe Indofevilleeae H.Schaef. & S.S.Renner ** '' Indofevillea''

Chatterjee Chatterjee or Chattopadhyay (চট্টোপাধ্যায়) is a Bengali Hindu family name, used primarily by the Kulin group of Pancha-Gauda Brahmins in India, and associated with the Bengali Brahmin caste. ''Chatterjee'' is an Anglicize ...

(2 sp.) * Tribe Thladiantheae H.Schaef. & S.S.Renner ** '' Baijiania'' A.M.Lu & J.Q.Li (30 spp.) ** ''

Thladiantha ''Thladiantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and China. They are dioecious, perennial herbs. The best known species is ''Thladiantha dubia''. Species Species curr ...

'' Bunge 1833 (5 spp.) * Tribe

Siraitieae ''Siraitia'' is a genus of plants from the family Cucurbitaceae. The following species have been assigned to it, at various times:Siraitia ''Siraitia'' is a genus of plants from the family Cucurbitaceae. The following species have been assigned to it, at various times:Momordiceae ''Momordica'' is a genus of about 60 species of annual or perennial climbers herbaceous or rarely small shrubs belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, natives of tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia and Australia. Most species produce flora ...

H.Schaef. & S.S.Renner ** '' Momordica'' L. (60 spp.) * Tribe Joliffieae Schrad. ** ''

Ampelosicyos ''Ampelosicyos'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is native to Madagascar. The genus name of ''Ampelosicyos'' is in honour of Ampelos, who was the personification of the grapevine and lover of Dionysus in ...

'' Thouars (5 spp.) ** '' Cogniauxia'' Baill. (2 spp.) ** '' Telfairia'' Hook. (3 spp.) * Tribe Bryonieae Dumort. ** '' Austrobryonia'' H.Schaef. (4 spp.) ** ''

Bryonia ''Bryonia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the gourd family. Bryony is its best-known common name. They are native to western Eurasia and adjacent regions, such as North Africa, the Canary Islands and South Asia. Description and ecology B ...

'' L. (10 spp.) ** ''

Ecballium ''Ecballium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae containing a single species, ''Ecballium elaterium'', also called the squirting cucumber or exploding cucumber (not the same plant as ''Cyclanthera brachystachya''). Its u ...

'' A.Rich. (1 sp.) * Tribe Schizopeponeae C.Jeffrey ** ''

Herpetospermum ''Herpetospermum'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Himalaya The Himalayas, or Himalaya (; ; ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from th ...

'' Wall. ex Hook.f. (3 spp.) ** ''

Schizopepon ''Schizopepon'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Eastern Himalaya to Russian Far East and Japan. Species: *''Schizopepon bicirrhosus'' *''Schizopepon bomiensis'' *''Schizopepon bryonii ...

'' Maxim. (6–8 spp.) * Tribe Sicyoeae Schrad. ** '' Cyclanthera'' Schrad. (40 spp.) ** '' Echinocystis'' Torr. & A.Gray (1 sp.) ** '' Echinopepon'' Naudin (20 spp., including ''

Brandegea ''Brandegea'' is a monotypic genus containing the single species ''Brandegea bigelovii'', the desert starvine. This sprawling perennial vine in the squash family is native to the deserts of California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. The distincti ...

'' Cogn.) ** '' Frantzia'' Pittier (5 spp.) ** '' Hanburia'' Seem. (7 spp.) ** ''

Hodgsonia ''Hodgsonia'' is a small genus of fruit-bearing vines in the family Cucurbitaceae. ''Hodgsonia'' was named for Brian Houghton Hodgson in 1853 by British botanists Joseph Dalton Hooker and Thomas Thomson, who examined the plant under Hodgson's ho ...

'' Hook.f. & Thomson (2 spp.) ** ''

Linnaeosicyos ''Linnaeosicyos'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The only species is ''Linnaeosicyos amara'' . It is native to the Dominican Republic. The genus name of ''Linnaeosicyos'' is in honour of Carl Linn ...

'' H.Schaef. & Kocyan (1 sp.) ** '' Luffa'' Mill. (5–7 spp.) ** '' Marah'' Kellogg (7 spp.) ** '' Nothoalsomitra'' Hutch. (1 sp.) ** ''

Sicyos ''Sicyos'' is a flowering plant genus of the family Cucurbitaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as burr cucumbers. Selected species Out of 130 species which have been attributed to the genus, just 37 are currently accepted by botan ...

'' L. (75 spp., including ''

Sechium ''Sechium'' is a genus in the tribe Sicyoeae of the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. Its best known member is the edible and widely cultivated chayote. Species The accepted species in the genus are:The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on t ...

'' P.Browne) ** ''

Trichosanthes ''Trichosanthes'' is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines. They belong to the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae), and are closely related to '' Gymnopetalum''. ''Hodgsonia'', formerly included here, is usually considered a well-distinct genus ...

'' L. (≤100 spp.) * Tribe Coniandreae Endl. ** ''

Apodanthera ''Apodanthera'' is a genus of plants in the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: ...

'' Arn. (16 spp.) ** ''

Bambekea ''Bambekea'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Western and Western Central Tropical Africa Although tropical Africa is mostly familiar to the West for its rainforests, this biogeograph ...

'' Cogn. (1 sp.) ** '' Ceratosanthes'' Adans. (4 spp.) ** ''

Corallocarpus ''Corallocarpus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to h ...

'' Welw. ex Benth. & Hook.f. (17 spp.) ** ''

Cucurbitella Arcellinid testate amoebae or Arcellinida,http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjun03/gsamoebae.html Testate amoebae, peat bogs and past climates. accessed 16 march 2007 Arcellacean or lobose testate amoebae are single-celled protists partially ...

'' Walp. (1 sp.) ** ''

'' Balf.f. (1 sp.) ** ''

Doyerea ''Doyerea'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most i ...

'' Grosourdy (1 sp.) ** ''

Eureiandra ''Eureiandra'' is a genus of plant in the family Cucurbitaceae. References

Eureiandra, Cucurbitaceae genera Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxa named by Joseph Dalton Hooker {{Cucurbitales-stub ...

'' Hook.f. (8 spp.) ** ''

Gurania ''Gurania'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important t ...

'' (Schltdl.) Cogn. (37 spp.) ** '' Halosicyos'' Mart.Crov (1 sp.) ** ''

Helmontia ''Helmontia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is from northern South America to northern Brazil. It is found in the countries of Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela. The ge ...

'' Cogn. (2–4 spp.) ** ''

Ibervillea ''Ibervillea'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Arizona, Oklahoma New Mexico, Texas and south to Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. The genus name of ''Ibervillea'' is in honour of Pierre Le Mo ...

'' Greene (9–10 spp.) ** '' Kedrostis'' Medik. (28 spp.) ** '' Melotrianthus'' M.Crovetto (1–3 spp.) ** ''

Psiguria ''Psiguria'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Mexico to Tropical America. Species: *''Psiguria pedata'' *''Psiguria racemosa'' *''Psiguria ternata'' *''Psiguria triphylla'' *''Psiguri ...

'' Neck. ex Arn. (6–12 spp.) ** '' Seyrigia'' Keraudren (6 spp.) ** ''

Trochomeriopsis ''Trochomeriopsis'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most im ...

'' Cogn. (1 sp.) ** ''

Tumamoca ''Tumamoca'' is a plant genus in the family Cucurbitaceae. It is named for Tumamoc Hill just west of the City of Tucson, Arizona, where the University of Arizona maintains an ecological research station. The type specimen In biology, a type ...

'' Rose (2 spp.) ** '' Wilbrandia'' Silva Manso (5 spp.) * Tribe

Benincaseae Benincaseae is one of 15 Tribe (biology), tribes in the family Cucurbitaceae. Subtribes and genera Benincaseae consists of at least one subtribe, 26 genera, and over 200 species. *Benincasinae **''Acanthosicyos'' **''Benincasa'' **''Citrullus'' ...

Ser. ** ''

Acanthosicyos ''Acanthosicyos'' is a genus of thorny shrubs of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae, subfamily Cucurbitoideae. The genus name derives from the Greek words "''akantha''" for thorn and "''sykios''" for cucumber or gourd. Species Endemic to the Na ...

'' Welw. ex Hook.f. (1 sp.) ** ''

Benincasa ''Benincasa hispida'', the wax gourd, also called ash gourd, white gourd, winter gourd, winter melon, tallow gourd, ash pumpkin, Chinese preserving melon is a vine grown for its very large fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature. It is the o ...

'' Savi (2 spp., including ''

Praecitrullus ''Praecitrullus fistulosus'', commonly known as Tinda, also called Indian squash, round melon, Indian round gourd or apple gourd or Indian baby pumpkin, is a squash-like cucurbit grown for its immature fruit, a vegetable especially popular in ...

'' Pangalo) ** ''

Borneosicyos ''Borneosicyos'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Borneo. Species: *''Borneosicyos simplex'' References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q16787372 Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitaceae genera ...

'' (1–2 spp.) ** ''

Cephalopentandra ''Cephalopentandra'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most i ...

'' Chiov. (1 sp.) ** '' Citrullus'' Schrad. (4 spp.) ** ''

Coccinia The scarlet gourds are a genus (''Coccinia'' from the Greek, ''kokkinia'' or ''kokkinias'' - "red" or "scarlet") with 25 species. It is distributed in sub- Saharan Africa and with one species, ''C. grandis'' also in South and South-east Asia, a ...

'' Wight & Arn. (30 spp.) ** '' Ctenolepis'' Hook. f. 1867 (3 spp.) ** '' Cucumis'' L. (65 spp.) ** ''

Dactyliandra ''Dactyliandra'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most impo ...

'' Hook.f. (2 spp.) ** '' Diplocyclos'' (Endl.) T.Post & Kuntze (4 spp.) ** ''

Indomelothria ''Indomelothria'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Indo-China to Western Malesia Malesia is a biogeographical region straddling the Equator and the boundaries of the Indomalayan and ...

'' (2 spp.) ** '' Khmeriosicyos'' (1 sp.) ** '' Lagenaria'' Ser. (6 spp.) ** ''

Lemurosicyos ''Lemurosicyos'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the m ...

'' Keraudren (1 sp.) ** ''

'' L. (12 spp., including '' M. scabra'') ** '' Muellerargia'' Cogn. (2 sp.) ** ''

Papuasicyos ''Papuasicyos'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; id, Papua, or , historically ) is the world's second-largest island with an area ...

'' (8 spp.) ** ''

Peponium ''Peponium'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Tropical and Southern Africa, and Western Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, coveri ...

'' Engl. (20 spp.) ** ''

Raphidiocystis ''Raphidiocystis'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Tropical Africa, Madagascar. Species: *''Raphidiocystis brachypoda'' *''Raphidiocystis chrysocoma'' *''Raphidiocystis jeffreyana'' ...

'' Hook.f. (5 spp.) ** ''

Ruthalicia ''Ruthalicia'' is a genus of flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel ...

'' C.Jeffrey (2 spp.) ** ''

Scopellaria ''Scopellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Southern Central China to Western and Central Malesia. Species: *''Scopellaria diversifolia'' *''Scopellaria marginata ''Scopellaria'' ...

'' W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes (2 spp.) ** '' Solena'' Lour. (3 spp.) ** ''

Trochomeria ''Trochomeria'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Tropical and Southern Africa. Species: *''Trochomeria baumiana'' *''Trochomeria debilis'' *''Trochomeria hookeri'' *''Trochomeria macr ...

'' Hook.f. (8 spp.) ** ''

'' Endl. (''ca.'' 60 spp.) * Tribe

Cucurbiteae The Cucurbiteae are a tribe of the subfamily Cucurbitoideae, which is part of the flowering plant family Cucurbitaceae (gourds). Species are usually Plant reproductive morphology, monoecious herbaceous plant, herbaceous annual plant, annuals or w ...

Ser. ** '' Abobra'' Naudin (1 sp.) ** ''

Calycophysum ''Calycophysum'' is a genus of the gourd family The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: *''Cucurbita'' – ...

'' H.Karst. & Triana (5 spp.) ** '' Cayaponia'' Silva Manso (50–59 spp., including ''

Selysia ''Selysia'' is a genus of the Cucurbitaceae, gourd family. A 2011 study based on genetics placed it under the genus ''Cayaponia''. Species References External links

Cucurbitaceae genera Cucurbitoideae Taxa named by Alfred Cogniau ...

'' Cogn.) ** ''

Cionosicys ''Cionosicys'' is a genus of the gourd family The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: *''Cucurbita'' – ...

'' Griseb. (4–5 spp.) ** ''

'' L. (15 spp.) ** '' Penelopeia'' Urb. (2 spp.) ** ''

Peponopsis ''Peponopsis'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the mo ...

'' Naudin (1 sp.) ** ''

Polyclathra ''Polyclathra'' is a genus of the gourd family The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: *''Cucurbita'' – ...

'' Bertol. (6 spp.) ** '' Schizocarpum'' Schrad. (11 spp.) ** ''

Sicana ''Sicana'' is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to hu ...

'' Naudin (4 spp.) ** ''

Tecunumania ''Tecunumania'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The genus was circumscription (taxonomy), circumscribed by Paul Carpenter Standley and Julian Alfred Steyermark in Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser.23 on p ...

'' Standl. & Steyerm. (1 sp.)

Systematics

Modern

molecular phylogenetics Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

suggest the following relationships: {, class="collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; border:solid 1px #aaa" , - ! style="background:#F0F2F5" , Detailed Cladogram showing Cucurbitaceae phylogeny , - , {{Clade, style=line-height:90%;font-size:90%; , label1=Cucurbitaceae , 1={{clade , 1={{clade , label1= Gomphogyneae , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2='' Gomphogyne'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , label1= Triceratieae , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Pteropepon'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Cyclantheropsis'' , 2=''

'' , label2= Zanonieae , 2={{clade , 1='' Gerrardanthus'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2='' Siolmatra'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , label1=

, 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , label1= Indofevilleeae , 1='' Indofevillea'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , label1= Thladiantheae , 1={{clade , 1='' Baijiania'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , label1=

, 1='' Momordica'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , label1= Joliffieae , 1={{clade , 1='' Cogniauxia'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Telfairia'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , label1= Bryonieae , 1={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , 2='' Austrobryonia'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , label1= Sicyoeae , 1={{clade , 1={{clade , 1='' Nothoalsomitra'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1='' Echinocystis'' , 2='' Marah'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1='' Echinopepon'' , 2='' Frantzia'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Cyclanthera'' , 2='' Hanburia'' , 3=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Luffa'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , label1= Schizopeponeae , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , 3={{clade , 1={{clade , label1= Coniandreae , 1=CONIANDREAE , 2={{clade , label1=

, 1=CUCURBITEAE , label2=

, 2=BENINCASEAE , targetA=CONIANDREAE , subcladeA={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

Eureiandra ''Eureiandra'' is a genus of plant in the family Cucurbitaceae. References

Eureiandra, Cucurbitaceae genera Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxa named by Joseph Dalton Hooker {{Cucurbitales-stub ...

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2='' Seyrigia'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Wilbrandia'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , 2='' Melotrianthus'' , 3={{clade , 1='' Kedrostis'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1={{clade , 1='' Ceratosanthes'' , 2='' Halosicyos'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , targetB=CUCURBITEAE , subcladeB={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1='' Penelopeia'' , 2=''

'' , 3=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Schizocarpum'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Abobra'' , 2='' Cayaponia'' , targetC=BENINCASEAE , subcladeC={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1={{clade , 1='' Citrullus'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2='' Lagenaria'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Solena'' , 2=''

Borneosicyos ''Borneosicyos'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Borneo. Species: *''Borneosicyos simplex'' References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q16787372 Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitaceae genera ...

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Ctenolepis'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1={{clade , 1={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2='' Diplocyclos'' , 2={{clade , 1=''

'' , 2=''

'' , 2={{clade , 1='' Muellerargia'' , 2='' Cucumis'' {{anchor, Pests, Diseases

Pests and diseases

Sweet potato whitefly The silverleaf whitefly (''Bemisia tabaci'', also informally referred to as the sweet potato whitefly) is one of several species of whitefly that are currently important agricultural pests. A review in 2011 concluded that the silverleaf whitefly ...

is the vector of a number of

cucurbit virus Cucurbit may refer to:- *A plant of the family Cucurbitaceae *The lower part of an alembic An alembic (from ar, الإنبيق, al-inbīq, originating from grc, ἄμβιξ, ambix, 'cup, beaker') is an alchemical still consisting of two ves ...

es that cause yellowing symptoms throughout the

southern United States The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...

.{{cite journal , title=Whitefly-Transmitted Yellowing Viruses of Cucurbit Crops , publisher= American Phytopathological Society , date=2020-08-28 , doi=10.1094/grow-cuc-08-20-006 , first=William M. , last=Wintermantel, s2cid=242003450

References

{{Reflist

External links

Cucurbitaceae
i

i
L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval.
https://web.archive.org/web/20070103200438/http://delta-intkey.com/ {{Angiosperm families {{Taxonbar, from=Q8314 {{Authority control Rosid families Extant Danian first appearances Taxa named by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu Taxa described in 1789

Description

Fossil history

Classification

Tribal classification

Systematics

Pests and diseases

References

Further reading

External links