What category do pumpkins fall under?
fruit
A pumpkin, from a botanist’s perspective, is a fruit because it’s a product of the seed-bearing structure of flowering plants. Vegetables, on the other hand, are the edible portion of plants such as leaves, stems, roots, bullbs, flowers, and tubers.
Which type of plant is pumpkin plant?
pumpkin, fruit of certain varieties of squash—such 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.
What is the habitat of a pumpkin?
Pumpkins are grown on six of the seven continents, excluding Antarctica. They are even grown in Alaska. Morton, Illinois has actually become the self-proclaimed “Pumpkin Capital of the World”. Pumpkins prefer warmer temperature and are sensitive to frost.
What environment do pumpkins grow best in?
full sun
Pumpkins prefer full sun, but it is one of the few vegetables that will thrive under partial shade. Just be sure to allow plenty of room for the pumpkins to grow — there will be some heavy growing vines.
Where is the best place to plant a pumpkin?
Pumpkins need a lot of moisture to reach full size. Plant a pumpkin vine near a natural water source like a pond or stream, and you’ll be rewarded with larger-than-life fruits. In traditional backyard settings, be sure to plant your pumpkin in an area that you can easily water.
Are there any parts of a pumpkin that are edible?
Most parts of the pumpkin are edible, including the fleshy shell, the seeds, the leaves, and even the flowers. In the United States and Canada, pumpkin is a popular Halloween and Thanksgiving staple. Pumpkin purée is sometimes prepared and frozen for later use.
What kind of food is eaten with pumpkin leaves?
Pumpkin leaves, usually of C. moschata varieties, are eaten as a vegetable in Korean cuisine . In various parts of India and Madheshis prepare saag and kachri/pakoda of the leaves and flowers. Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are edible and nutrient-rich.
Where are pumpkins grown in the United States?
As one of the most popular crops in the United States, in 2017 over 680 million kilograms (1.5 billion pounds) of pumpkins were produced. The top pumpkin-producing states include Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California.