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Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty'
| Family Name: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Common Name: | Zucchini, Courgette, Vegetable Marrow, Long Marrow, Garden Marrow |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.8 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.9 m to 1.2 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | This cultivar is an annual herb with a compact, open growth form. Although members of the species Cucurbita pepo are often vines, zucchini is typically produced by non-vining plants. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Large, dark green leaves sometimes have silvery spots and streaks at maturity. |
| Flowers | Male and female flowers are produced on the same plant. |
| Fruit | Smooth, glossy fruits are cylindrical with dark green to blackish green skin and white, firm flesh. The edible fruits are widely consumed as a vegetable in many countries. They are typically harvested before maturity when about 5 cm wide and 20 cm long for optimal taste. |
| Taxonomy | This cultivar was first sold in the USA in the 1920s. |
| Cultivation | There are many cultivars which produce distinctly different types of squash. These cultivars may cross with one another to produce new types of offspring. Seeds can be sown individually 2.5 cm belowground. Alternatively, 6-8 seeds can be planted in a small mound and thinned to the strongest individual. This cultivar is known to be easy-to-grow and produces an abundant harvest. Seeds may take 4 to 10 days to germinate. Depending on the varieties, the plant may take 45 to 50 days to mature. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Flowers Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruits are widely consumed as a mild-flavoured vegetable which complements many types of sauces. The fruit, especially the skin, is rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids. The flowers can also be dipped in beer batter and deep-fried. |
Landscaping Features
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32086 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6492 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
