Field Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo
- Native to:
- Guam, Mexico, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Genus:
- Cucurbita
- Species:
- Cucurbita pepo
- USDA Symbol:
- CUPE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, orange
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
clandestine dart (Spaelotis clandestina), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), cotton tipworm (Crocidosema plebejana), cucumber moth (Diaphania indica-complex), melonworm moth (Diaphania hyalinata), pickleworm (Diaphania nitidalis), Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Xenoglossa pruinosa
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, squash bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers fertile soils with organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–10 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best at soil temperatures of 70-95°F. Direct sow after last frost.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI