Smile of Earth- 8

Oh My Gourd!

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)- Female flower

The Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) of flowering plants has about 950+ species of vegetable and ornamental plants. Members of the family are annual or perennial herbs native to temperate and tropical areas and include cucumbers, gourds, melons, squashes, and pumpkins.
These are fast-growing creeping or climbing vines.

Most species have unisexual flowers, borne in the leaf axils. Flowers may be white or yellow. Male flowers have up to five anthers, often fused or joined and in female flowers the ovary is seen at an inferior level to petals.
The fruit in most species is a fleshy many-seeded berry with a tough rind, often attaining considerable size. The seeds are flattened.

Enjoy these cheerful yellow flowers of  Gourd family!

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)- Male flower

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)- Female flower

Ash gourd (Benincasa hispida)- Male flower