Kaira Sargent

The family cubitaceae contains many species of broad-leaved vining garden plants. For seed saving purposes it’s important to recognize that pumpkins, squash, and gourds all members of this family easily cross-pollinate with one another if found within the same species. While we think of them as separate produce pumpkin is actually a term used to describe the shape of a squash. Which is why you’ll find it very difficult and impractical to distinguish one species from another based solely upon characteristics.

Four Species of Pumpkin:

Cucurbita Pepo

1.  Small Sugar Pie Pumpkin

2.  Winter Luxury Pie Pumpkin

3. Connecticut Field Pumpkin

Cucurbita Maxima

1. Rouge Vif d’Etampes or Cinderella Pumpkin

2. Geleuse d’Eysines

3. Big Max Pumpkin

4. Marina di Chioggia

5. Jarrahdale Pumpkin

Cucurbita Moschata

1. Long Island Cheese or Tan Cheese Pumpkin

2. Seminole Pumpkin

3. Musquee de Provence

Cucurbita Mixta

1. White Cushaw Pumpkin

2. Green Striped Cushaw Pumpkin

3. Orange Striped Cushaw Pumpkin

I’ve found typically your carving pumpkin isn’t the best for cooking or storage. With a large hollow core it takes up a fair amount of storage space while yielding a relatively meager amount of pumpkin. Certainly edible they are for my intent and purpose of food harvest with prolific yield not the best choice. You might consider other decorative options besides carving in which a more unique heirloom variety pumpkin may add charm while extending the shelf life of the pumpkin possibly even leaving it still edible. Child-friendly methods such as painting or using the decorative push in face features are becoming increasingly popular.