"Come for a day and stay for a lifetime…"(R)

Pumpkins

by Carla Griffin on October 31, 2012

The origin of pumpkins is not definitively known, although they are thought to have originated in North America.

The oldest evidence, pumpkin-related seeds dating between 7000 and 5500 BC, were found in Mexico. Pumpkins are a squash-like fruit that range in size from less than 1 pound to over 1,000 pounds.     Pumpkins are monoecious, having both male and female flowers on the same plant.     The female flower is distinguished by the small ovary at the base of the petals.    These bright and colorful flowers have extremely short life spans and may only open for as short a time as one day.    The color of pumpkins is derived from the orange pigments abundant in them.

The main nutrients are lutein and both alpha and beta carotene, the latter of which generates vitamin A in the body.

                                                  HAVE A VERY HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: