When it come to gourds , there are three main types that are commonly refer to : Cucurbita gourds , Crescentia cujete , and Lagenaria siceraria . Each type of gourd has its own singular characteristic and uses .
1 . Cucurbita Gourds : The Cucurbita genus includes several coinage of gourd that are native to North America . Some popular varieties include the Malabar gourd vine and the turban squelch . These gourd come in a all-encompassing range of physique , sizes , and colors . They have a hard , outer shell and a fleshy interior . The build of these gourds is often used in cooking , peculiarly in recipes such as soup , lather , and Proto-Indo European . The shell of Cucurbita gourd are also frequently used for decorative purposes , such as making birdhouses , bowls , and ornaments .
2 . Crescentia cujete : The Crescentia cujete , also known as the tree gourd vine or calabash pipe tree , is aboriginal to the American tropical zone . This character of gourd is unique because it maturate on a tree diagram rather than a vine . The gourd has a large , round Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe with a punishing , woody shell . Traditionally , the calabash tree diagram has been used by indigenous cultures for various intent . The dried gourds are often hollowed out and used as container for storing food and pee . They can also be crafted into musical instruments , such as maracas or drums . In some cultures , the Crescentia cujete Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is consider consecrated and has symbolic import .
3 . Lagenaria siceraria : The Lagenaria siceraria , commonly known as the bottle gourd , is believed to be in the first place from Africa but is now train worldwide . This gourd has a foresightful , cylindric human body with a thick , hard shell . The flesh of the feeding bottle gourd is not typically consumed due to its bitter perceptiveness , but the immature , tippy gourds can be cook and eat . The fledged gourds are commonly used for various intent . The dried shells of bottleful calabash can be turn into containers , utensils , and even melodic musical instrument . In some cultures , the nursing bottle gourd is also used as a natural sponge or as a decorative constituent .
In my personal experience with gourd , I have had the opportunity to grow and harvest dissimilar varieties of Cucurbita gourds in my own garden . It was fascinating to see the diverse shapes and colors that these gourds can take on . I particularly enjoy using the shells of the gourds for crafting purpose , such as make bird feeders and decorative bowls . The process of drying and preserving the gourd shells was both intriguing and rewarding . to boot , I have also come across the use of Crescentia cujete gourd in traditional crafts during my travels to tropical region . The intricate cutting and design on these gourds were truly impressive and showcased the ethnical meaning of this case of gourd .
Gourds are a various and fascinating grouping of industrial plant . Whether they are used for cooking , craft , or ethnical traditions , each character of gourd offers its own singular qualities and possibilities .
Caroline Bates
