Ethno-botanical Knowledge on Diversity of Cucurbita Landraces Grown in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ethnobotanical knowledge on local Cucurbita landraces was documented in three district municipalities of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Seven distinct landraces of C. argyrosperma, C. maxima and C. pepo were identified by local (isiZulu) names as iNhlwathi emhlophe, iNhlwathi emnyama, iPhuzi, isiPhama, iThanga, uMpampini oluhlaza and uMpampini ophuzi. The majority had leaves with silvery-white mottling in axils of leaf veins, but isiPhama and uMpampini oluhlaza had uniformly green leaves. INhlwathi emhlophe and iNhlwathi emnyama had the largest fruits and isiPhama had the smallest. Landrace iNhlwathi emnyama maintained its green fruit colour at maturity, while iPhuzi changed to uniform yellow/orange fruit colour before maturity. The isiPhama, uMpampini oluhlaza and uMpampini ophuzi had sparse to moderate stem branching habit and the sweetest, less watery fruits of them all. Seed colour ranged from cream to white. This study was the first attempt to record the genetic-related diversity on types of Cucurbita landraces that are grown in South Africa. It also recorded the presence of C. argyrosperma for the first time in this country.