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squash

Plant

  • Species and cultivars vary
  • Annual

Stem

  • Sprawling, vine-like with alternate leaves or bush types with leaves crowded near base

Leaf

  • Broadly triangular to nearly circular to heart-shaped
  • Shallow-toothed edges, sometimes lobed

Flower

  • Separate male and female flowers on same plant
  • Yellow
  • Female has what appears to be small fruit below petals

Fruit

  • Size, shape, color vary by cultivar
  • Two general types: winter (left), summer (right)
  • Winter-harvested when rind and seeds mature
    • Flesh and seeds edible
  • Summer-harvested while immature with soft skin and seeds
    • Entire fruit edible