I planted a couple of butternut squash from the same package. However, one of the vines is producing a squash that looks like another variety. Could anyone help me to identify it? It began with the neck yellow and the base green, but now is entirely yellow and warted. Is it edible? Here is a picture
It looks a bit like a gourd to me. I don't think they are edible. It certainly doesn't look like a butternut squash.
The leaves are very similar to the butternut squash growing next to it. This one is about 6 inches in diametre. Aren't gourds small? I was hoping something more like a Hubbard squash variety. Some of them look really ugly. Are gourds poison or just bad eating? Is there a way to tell if I cut it open? Thank you for your site. I have only just discovered it. Gail
I think gourds come in various sizes. I don't think they are poisonous, just not good to eat. It doesn't look like a hubbard to me. Sorry!
Squash, gourd and pumpkin are all the same species, Cucurbita pepo. Some gourds are edible when they are small and a few varieties when they are mature, but generally they are just too tough and bitter to eat. Grown in the same garden, they can cross pollinate and if you save seeds, you may get a bunch of tough squash the following year. For this reason many gardeners don't grow them together. Some interesting facts about the species: http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0503.htm#related
Thanks for your help. We cut it open tonight and it was bitter and greenish--although it might have become orangy later in the season, I do believe you are right. It is a gourd. No worries though, we had a great time growing it and moving training the vine to grow up the fence. We will use them for automne decorations, but it was a bit more fun when we thought we were going to feed the world with our squash!! Have a great day Gail PS Thanks for the other website "waynesword..."
