Cucurbita maxima

Buttercup squash
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Cucurbitaceae
Genus:	Cucurbita
Species:	C. maxima
Binomial name
Cucurbita maxima

Cucurbita maxima, one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more cultivated forms than any other crop. ^[1] This species originated in South America from the wild C. maxima ssp. andreana over 4000 years ago ^[2] Different squash types of this species were introduced into North America as early as the 16th century. By the American Revolution, the species was in cultivation by Native American tribes throughout the present-day United States. By the early 19th century, at least three varieties are known to have been commercially introduced in North America from seeds obtained from Native Americans. Secondary centers of diversity include India, Bangladesh, Burma, and possibly the southern Appalachians.

A Pink Banana squash, cut, with seeds removed, with a U.S. quarter for size comparison

Banana squash has an elongated shape, with light blue, pink or orange skin and bright orange flesh.

A Buttercup squash

Buttercup squash is one of the most common varieties of this winter squash with a turban-shape (a flattish top and dark green skin), weighing 3-5 pounds, and normally heavy with dense yellow-orange flesh.

Jarrahdale pumpkin is a pumpkin with gray skin. It is nearly identical to 'Queensland Blue' and 'Sweet Meat' varieties.

Kabocha is a Japanese variety.

Lakota squash is an American variety.

Arikara squash is a heirloom variety of C. maxima. Fruits weigh from four to eleven lbs. The shape of the fruit can be tear-drop or round, and they are colored in a mottled orange and green pattern. It is desired both for its eating qualities and as a seasonal decoration. This variety traces its ancestry to the Arikara tribe of the Dakotas among whom its cultivation predates white settlement.

A Blue Hubbard squash, cut, with seeds removed

A Golden Hubbard squash

Hubbard squash is another cultivar of this species that usually has a tear-drop shape. They are often used as a replacement for pumpkins. According to one source,^[3] the name comes from Bela Hubbard, settler of Randolph Township, Ohio in the Connecticut Western Reserve. Many other sources list an alternate history.^[4][5] These sources state that the Hubbard squash (at the time nameless) came to Marblehead, Massachusetts through Captain Knott Martin. A woman named Elizabeth Hubbard brought the fruit to the attention of her neighbor, a seed trader named James J. H. Gregory. Mr. Gregory subsequently introduced it to the market using Mrs. Hubbard's name as the eponym. Gregory later bred and released the Blue Hubbard, which has a bluish-gray skin. The other major variety, the Golden Hubbard squash, has a bright orange skin. Gregory advertisements for the squash date from at least 1859.^[6] The Hubbard Squash, including questions regarding the name, is even the subject of a children's ditty, "Raising Hubbard Squash in Vermont".^[7]

The Candyroaster landrace was originally developed by the Cherokee people in the southern Appalachians. Another heirloom variety, it is quite variable in size (10-250+ lbs), shape (round, cylindrical, teardrop, blocky, etc.), and color (pink, tan, green, blue, gray, or orange), yet most have fine-textured orange flesh. In fact, the 'Candyroaster' name was probably a traditional name for the C. maxima species in order to maintain some degree of varietal purity as different varieties can cross-pollinate at distances of up to a mile whereas different species will not cross even when grown side by side. This variety enjoys continued popularity, particularly in the southern Appalachians.

Uses

Buttercup squash can be roasted, baked, and mashed into soups, among a variety of filler uses, much like pumpkin. It is extremely popular, especially as a soup, in Brazil and Africa.

All giant pumpkins (100+ lbs) are of this species, including the largest pumpkins ever documented, which have attained sizes of at least 2000 lbs. See Giant pumpkins.

The Tamils call it as parangkikkaay and use to prepare tasteful dishes. The parangkikkaay koottu is a very sweet and nice dish. But in Siddha Medicine it also used as a medicine. For example, fry about 10 grams of the seeds of Curcurbita maxima and grind them to powder form. To this add equal amount of sugar and eat at night before bed time. In the morning drink a table spoon of castor oil with hot water. This will expel all tape-worms from the intestine and the stomach will be cleaned. Similarly, take about 25 grams of the seeds of Curcurbita maxima and make decoction. Dinking the decoction will be good for leucorrhoea ("veLLai" in Tamil)

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References

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