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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300829
Title: Cucurbitaceae (Vine Crops)

Author
item Kousik, Chandrasekar - Shaker
item Levi, Amnon
item WEHNER, T - North Carolina State University
item MAYNARD, D - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Life Sciences
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/11/2014
Publication Date: 1/3/2015
Citation: Kousik, C.S., Levi, A., Wehner, T., Maynard, D. 2015a. Cucurbitaceae (Vine Crops). Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. eLS. 1–8.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: The Cucurbitaceae or vine crop family is a distinct family without any close relatives. The Cucurbitaceae or vine crop family includes many important vegetables collectively referred to as cucurbits. Cucumber, melon, and watermelon are major crop species originally from the Old World (cucumber from India; melon and watermelon from Africa). They are in the same family as squash and pumpkin, which are from the New World (Central and South America). Gourds have fruit (often bitter) that are used for food, decoration, containers, utensils, or sponges. The exception is wax gourd, which is used much like a watermelon.