Cucurbita moschata

plant

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June 17, 2026

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Cucurbita moschata is a species of winter squash, often recognized as butternut squash. This plant belongs to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, which includes cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins.12

Butternut squash is typically bottle-shaped with a buff-colored rind and orange flesh. While many plants in the Cucurbitaceae family are sensitive to cold, winter squashes like Cucurbita moschata are among those with a higher nutrient content. These plants are generally fast-growing vines with large leaves and tendrils that help them climb.12

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pumpkin
as varieties of Cucurbita pepo, C. moschata, and C. maxima—in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), usually characterized by a hard orange rind with distinctive grooves. Pumpkins are commonly grown for human consumption, for decoration, and also for livestock feed.
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as varieties of Cucurbita pepo, C. moschata, and C. maxima—in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), usually characterized by a hard orange rind with distinctive grooves. Pumpkins are commonly grown for human consumption, for decoration, and also for livestock feed.
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squash
Winter squashes
…include the butternut squash (C. moschata), delicata, acorn, and spaghetti squashes (C. pepo), and buttercup squashes and giant pumpkins (C. maxima). The fruits show a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colours; the rinds are relatively harder than those of summer squash and are usually considered inedible. Several varieties…
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…include the butternut squash (C. moschata), delicata, acorn, and spaghetti squashes (C. pepo), and buttercup squashes and giant pumpkins (C. maxima). The fruits show a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colours; the rinds are relatively harder than those of summer squash and are usually considered inedible. Several varieties…
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