Bush Pumpkin

(Cucurbita pepo var. patisson), an annual vegetable of the family Cucurbitaceae. The large, coarse leaves are triangular or pentagonal, and the flowers are monoecious, unisexual, large, yellow, and solitary. The fruit is a companulate, disklike, or somewhat rounded gourd, which is smooth, ribbed, or grooved. The gourd is yellow, white, or green and has green stripes or spots. The plants grow as shrubs or subshrubs. The bush pumpkin requires warm temperatures, much moisture, and good soil. It is cultivated in many countries. Young fruits, three to five days old, are eaten in stewed, fried, or ground form; they are also canned. Overgrown fruits are used as a succulent feed for livestock. Bush pumpkins may be raised from seeds or seedlings; an area of 70 X 70 cm or 80 X 80 cm is provided for each plant.