Squash/gourd id help please!

I've always considered anything listed in the vegetable section of a seed list to be edible and anything listed under flowers to be ornamental and only edible if there is a specific statement to that effect.

 

The Bottle Gourds are left to dry out completely so you just have the hard exterior and the seeds which if dried should rattle when shaken. The "veining" on the exterior is very intricate and can be emphasised by careful painting with acrylic paint. Make nice decorative items.
It's probably about 25 years ago when I grew the T Turban - maybe we did eat them - can't remember but it was the colour and shape that I liked.

 

The poisons in the Cucumis Genus, cuces and pomps, are all bitter. If your squash fruit isnt bitter, it is safe to eat, regardless of ornamentality. A tiny bit wont hurt you but a whole bitter courgette could be lights out!

I believe most poisonings involve people with poor sense of taste, desperation via poverty, or extreme cooking which can cover up the flavour. Try a bit raw to be safe.

Personally id avoid growing non edible ones to avoid poisoning someones saved courgette seeds, if any existed in my area, which i doubt

 

I thought the problem that occured with commercial seed a few years ago was put down to the seed crop crossing with a different type, possibly something growing wild even.

 

Courgettes and some pumpkins are all cucumis Pepo, and the ornamental ones tend to also be Pepos, so they cross easily.