This species is sometimes treated as a distinct species (as Cucurbita andreana Naudin), though most recent works treat it as a distinct species.

Common Name:

General Information

Cucurbita maxima andreana is a vigorous, fast-growing annual plant with stems that sprawl over the ground and scramble into the surrounding vegetation where they support themselves by means of tendrils[].
The plant is the wild progenitor of the cultivated Cucurbita maxima with its edible fruits. However, the wild form has bitter-tasting fruits and leaves that are not usually eaten. However, the bitter substances have been shown to contain a number of medicinally active compounds and the plant is of interest in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia

Habitat

Open, weedy places.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual Climber
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cucurbita maxima andreana is native to the warm temperate regions of Argentina and Uruguay, and is also found in more tropical regions in Bolivia.
Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a sheltered position in the sun or light shade[, , ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7.5, but tolerates 5 - 8.5[, ]. Dry periods with a relatively low humidity favour the best growth - plants are more susceptible to leaf diseases in damp seasons[, ].
This species is the wild progenitor of the cultivated Cucurbita maxima[].

Edible Uses

The fruits of this subspecies are very bitter, especially as the fruit matures. It is possible that early hunter-gatherers in Argentina would have eaten them, probably when they were young, and probably after leaching at least some of the bitter compunds from the fruit[].

Seeds - raw or cooked[]. The seeds are a good source of oils and protein

Medicinal

All parts of the plant contain bitter-tasting compounds called cucurbitacins.. These bitter substances have been shown to have a number of medicinal activities, including anticancer and antiinflammamtory. This makes them of interest in the treatment of cancer and various other diseases[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse in a rich soil. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per pot and thin out to the best plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts, giving them cloche or frame protection for at least their first few weeks if you are trying them outdoors.