Fig Leaf Gourd Cucurbita ficifolia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- koo-KER-bih-ta fik-ih-FOL-lee-uh
- Description
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Figleaf Gourd is a perennial vining squash that is grown for its edible fruits with black seeds though it leaves and stems are edible too.
Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cucurbita
- Species:
- ficifolia
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Peru to Bolivia
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
- Tendrils
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Vegetable
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Long-lasting
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- A pepo (berry with a hard rind) that is mottled white and green. The inner flesh is white with black seeds. Known for its incredible storage qualities.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Early to mid-summer bright yellow flowers. Monecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Peltate
- Reniform
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large alternate leaves with palmate lobing and venation.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
