Cucurbita or gourd is a genus of herbaceous vines belonging to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. Cucurbits, as they are also know, are indigenous to the Andes region and Mesoamerica. Currently, five species are cultivated for their edible fruit and seeds. This fruit is alternately known as pumpkin, squash or gourd. That depends on species, variety and local jargon.
The fruits of the Cucurbita species are usually large and fleshy, but their size can vary substantially. Wild fruit species can be as small as 4 centimetres (1.6 inch) and some commercial specimens can weigh more than 300 kilograms (660 lbs).