By Erin Baxter
One of the first plants domesticated in North America, the great pumpkin (not Charlie Brown’s “Great Pumpkin”) is a very unique gourd. It’s a cultivar of the squash plant, known as “Cucurbita Pepo” in Latin, which translates as “Gourd Melon.” This name is given because of the round shape, slightly ribbed skin, and deep yellow to orange coloration. Of course, the thick shell contains numerous seeds and pulp.
As we all know, the pumpkin is both a trick and a treat! They are widely grown for commercial use, and are commonly used in both food and recreation. Halloween’s most popular symbol, the jack-o’-lantern, is created by carving out a pumpkin (or turnip in some countries) and placing a candle in the hollowed out bottom.