Gourds are hard-shelled fruits that grow on herbaceous, tendril-bearing vines. Along with pumpkins, squashes, and cucumbers, they belong to the family Cucurbitacea, but most gourds belong to the genera Lageneria and Cucurbita pepo.
While some gourds can be eaten, most are not pleasing to the palate. Among the world’s oldest cultivated plants, they were traditionally grown to make utensils, storage containers, musical instruments, and even birdhouses. They are still grown today for these purposes along with crafts and decorative household and garden items.
What’s the Difference Between a Gourd and a Pumpkin?
Gourds and pumpkins both belong to the family Cucurbitaceae, so technically, it can be argued that pumpkins are gourds. There are notable differences, the most important being that pumpkins are grown primarily as food, and gourds are grown for crafts and decor.
Pumpkins are round with a slightly sweet vegetable flavor. Gourds come in many different shapes and sizes with bland and sometimes bitter flavors.
Here are 15 types of gourds to grow with ways to use them.
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