Pumpkin

Pumpkin, plant (genus Cucurbita) of the gourd family. The genus includes winter squashes (C. maxima or C. moschata) and summer squashes, but the term pumpkin usually refers to the round, orange-skinned fruit of the vine C. pepo. The pumpkin's stringy pulp is used as food and pie filling. The seeds, which fill the pumpkin's cavity, are also eaten. At Halloween, pumpkins are carved into jack-o'-lanterns. The pumpkin probably originated in North America.