Gourd

A gourd is a hard-shelled fruit from certain plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, especially the genera Lagenaria and Cucurbita.

A gourd is a hard-shelled fruit from certain plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, especially the genera Lagenaria and Cucurbita. Gourds are grown for food when young in some species, but mature fruits are often dried and used for decoration, containers, utensils, and other craft objects.

Definition

Gourd is a general term for certain fruits in the Cucurbitaceae family, especially hard-shelled fruits from Lagenaria and Cucurbita. The word is also used more broadly in some contexts for related cucurbit crops.

Plant characteristics

Gourd plants are usually annual climbing or trailing vines with large leaves, tendrils, and separate male and female flowers on the same plant. They produce fruits that vary widely in shape, size, and shell hardness.

Uses

Some gourds are harvested young and cooked as vegetables, while mature gourds are dried and used for crafts, ornaments, utensils, containers, and musical instruments. Ornamental use is especially common for hard-shelled types.

Cultivation and origin

Gourd plants are widely grown in warm regions and are associated with early domestication in several parts of the world. Sources describe origins in Africa for some types and broad early cultivation in the tropics and elsewhere.