Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a gourd of the genus Cucurbita and the family Cucurbitaceae [1]. It can refer to either species Cucurbita pepo or Cucurbita mixta, or possibly to a specific variety of either the species Cucurbita maxima or Cucurbita moschata.

Pumpkins generally weigh 9–18 lbs (4–8 kg) with the largest (of the species c. maxima) capable of reaching a weight of over 75 lbs (34 kg) [4]. The pumpkin varies greatly in shape, ranging from oblate through oblong. The rind is smooth and usually lightly ribbed [4]. Although pumpkins are usually orange or yellow [3] , some fruits are dark green, pale green, orange-yellow, white, red and gray.[citation needed]

Pumpkins are angiosperms, having both male and female flowers, the latter distinguished by the small ovary at the base of the petals. These bright and colorful flowers have extremely short life spans, and may only open for as short a time as one day.[citation needed] The color of pumpkins is derived from the orange pigments abundant in them. The main nutriends are lutein, and both alpha- and beta- carotene. Their purpose is to generate vitamin A in the body