Gourds and Squash: Unpacking the Cucurbitaceae Family

This image is a famous portrait titled "Portrait of a Man, aaid to be Christopher Columbus," painted by Sebastiano del Piombo in 1519.

Gourds and Squash December 3, 1492   On this day, Christopher Columbus noted in his diary: “I climbed a mountain and came to level ground, which was sown with many different crops and gourds.” The gourds Columbus was referring to were actually squashes that were turned into utensils. Many people confuse gourds and squash. So…

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The Rise and Fall of Delaware’s Peachy Empire

Peaches are a stone fruit, characterized by a large, hard pit or "stone" in the center. They grow on deciduous trees that typically fruit on the previous year's wood.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 9, 1888 On this day in 1888, the fair state of Delaware adorned itself with a most becoming floral emblem. The Peach Blossom, that harbinger of spring’s sweet promise, was elected to…

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