Cucurbita moschata aka Butternut Squash

Cucurbita moschata is an annual squash in the cucumber family. Its common names include butternut squash and winter squash. Kew places its cultivated origin from Mexico to Guatemala. Other sources give a broader Central and South American origin. Its exact roots remain unclear; no wild habitat is known. Growers raise it for food in warm regions worldwide.

This fast-growing vine trails across soil or climbs with tendrils. In gardens, it reaches about 1.6–3.3 feet (0.5–1 metre) high. Its spread reaches 13–26 feet (4–8 metres). Individual stems can reach 16 feet (5 metres) long. The dark green stems carry large, rough, prickly leaves. Leaves grow in an alternate pattern and have palmate lobes. Some show pale marks near their veins. The plant suits vegetable beds, trellises, and broad patches of bare soil.

Large, yellow, funnel-shaped flowers appear in summer. Missouri Botanical Garden gives July to August as flowering time. Each plant bears separate male and female flowers. Bees and other insects pollinate them. The fruit is a pepo, a berry with a firm rind. Shape, size, skin texture, and colour vary within the species. Some fruits have a long neck and a swollen end. These may have pale orange skin and sweet orange flesh. Fruits ripen from late summer into fall. Ripe, hard-skinned fruits can keep well in storage.

Give this squash full sun and a warm, sheltered site. It needs rich soil that holds moisture but drains well. RHS recommends acidic to neutral soil, including loam and sand. Sow indoors from March to May, or outdoors in warm soil. Plant out after the last frost. Feed with potassium-rich fertiliser as fruits begin to grow. No pruning is needed. RHS rates it H2, so it cannot survive freezing. Missouri Botanical Garden lists zones 2–11 for this annual crop.

Slugs, aphids, and beetles may damage plants. Other pests include squash bugs, vine borers, cutworms, and mites. Disease risks include wilt, grey mould, and powdery mildew. Downy mildew and blossom end rot may also occur. Cooked fruit works in soups, baked dishes, and other meals. Leaves, young stems, and flowers also serve as cooked foods. Seeds are edible raw or cooked and yield edible oil. Do not eat bitter fruit or give it to pets. Sprouting seeds contain a toxic substance in the embryo.