Squash/gourd id help please!

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Cornsquashandy, Dec 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM.

  1. Cornsquashandy

    Cornsquashandy Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi everyone
    Here’s a pic of a squash/gourd that someone gave me the seedling for last summer.
    The skin is very hard so peeling it is very difficult; not like a pumpkin or butternut squash.
    Could it be an inedible gourd?
    Any suggestions gratefully received! upload_2025-12-21_10-19-26.png IMG_0633.jpeg
    Thank you

    upload_2025-12-21_10-19-26.png
     
  2. Escarpment

    Escarpment Total Gardener

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    It doesn't look like there's enough flesh on it to be worth bothering trying to eat it.
     
  3. Cornsquashandy

    Cornsquashandy Apprentice Gardener

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    I thought that too for this one, but I do have a couple of bigger ones as well. Just don’t fancy getting ill from eating an inedible one. Either way, if anyone knows what it is I’d be interested to know. Thanks!
     
  4. Escarpment

    Escarpment Total Gardener

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    The main risk with squash plants is high levels of cucurbitacin which can make you very ill. You can get this in courgettes too.
     
  5. Philippa

    Philippa Gardener

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    Could the seedling have been the result of a cross ? Have you looked at any sites selling ornamental ones at all - tho I wouldn't describe yours as ornamental .
    The only ornamentals I have grown in the past were Turks Turban and Bottle Gourds but I imagine there are quite a few others by now.
     
  6. Cornsquashandy

    Cornsquashandy Apprentice Gardener

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  7. Cornsquashandy

    Cornsquashandy Apprentice Gardener

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    Sorry Philippa I seem to have added my last comment to your post. I don’t know how!
     
  8. Philippa

    Philippa Gardener

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    No problem @Cornsquashandy :) Does sound a bit of a mix up but good luck with your investigation. As has been said, just be careful re eating the mystery squash.
     
  9. Escarpment

    Escarpment Total Gardener

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    It looks like you accidentally deleted the last square bracket from [/QUOTE]. So the forum software would no longer know where to end the quote, and would include your text.
     
  10. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I think that happened a couple of years ago with seed people were buying, and the courgettes were making people ill.
     
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    • Escarpment

      Escarpment Total Gardener

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      Yes, you're supposed to test the first courgette you pick off a plant. You touch your tongue to the flower end, and if you don't detect any bitterness it and the rest of the fruit on the plant will be fine.
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        In the words of a certain person, not a lot of people know that,:biggrin: Must admit I didn't, I thought you gave the first ones to the neighbours and if you still saw them around in a couple of days they were ok to eat.;)
         
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        • Escarpment

          Escarpment Total Gardener

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          The neighbours would vomit for several days solid and then be too polite to tell you so. "Oh they were lovely".
           
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