The question of whether a pumpkin is a gourd highlights the difference between botanical classification and everyday language. For most people, the two terms describe distinct items: the round, orange fruit used for pies and carving, and the small, often warty, colorful decorations seen in autumn displays. Science reveals a complex family relationship where the answer depends entirely on how broadly the term “gourd” is defined.
The Botanical Family Tree
Both the pumpkin and the gourd belong to the large plant family known as Cucurbitaceae, often referred to simply as the gourd family. This classification includes nearly 1,000 species across over 100 genera, and its members are known as cucurbits. Other familiar members of this family include cucumbers, various melons, and all types of squash.
Cucurbitaceae plants are typically herbaceous, vining annuals or perennials that produce large, showy, often yellow flowers. Their fruit is botanically a specialized type of berry called a pepo, characterized by a thick, tough outer rind and a fleshy interior containing seeds.
Defining the Gourd
The term “gourd” lacks a single, precise scientific definition and acts as a broad, informal umbrella term for many fruits within the Cucurbitaceae family. Historically, gourds were cultivated not for flavor but for their hard shells, which were used as containers, utensils, and musical instruments. Today, the term most often describes varieties grown primarily for ornamental purposes or crafting, rather than for food.
Botanically, the fruits commonly called gourds fall into two major genera within the family. The first group includes soft-shelled ornamental gourds, which belong to the genus Cucurbita, the same genus as pumpkins and squash. These ornamental varieties are intended for short-term decorative use. The second, more distinct group is the hard-shelled gourds, which belong to the genus Lagenaria, most famously represented by the bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria). These Lagenaria gourds are prized for their ability to dry and cure into durable, long-lasting objects.
Defining the Pumpkin
Unlike the broad term “gourd,” the word “pumpkin” is a cultural and culinary designation rather than a strict botanical one. It is generally applied to specific cultivars of winter squash that are typically round, orange-to-yellow, and used for carving or cooking. From a scientific perspective, all plants commonly referred to as pumpkins belong exclusively to the genus Cucurbita, the same genus that includes all edible squash.
The common jack-o’-lantern pumpkin is most often a variety of Cucurbita pepo, but the term encompasses cultivars from several other Cucurbita species. For example, giant pumpkins are typically varieties of Cucurbita maxima, while the types used in canned pumpkin purée are usually Cucurbita moschata. This lack of species specificity means that while a botanist can identify a Cucurbita fruit, the decision to call it a “pumpkin” is based on its appearance and traditional use.
The Overlap and Distinction
The definitive answer rests on the botanical hierarchy, where “gourd” functions as the overarching descriptor for the entire family. Because all pumpkins are fruits of the Cucurbitaceae family, they are all technically a type of gourd. The classification is similar to how a poodle is a type of dog; the more specific term is a subset of the general one.
The distinction becomes clearer when considering the two main genera of gourds. All pumpkins are members of the Cucurbita genus, which they share with all edible squash. This means every pumpkin is a Cucurbita gourd. However, the hard-shelled bottle gourds belong to the separate Lagenaria genus. These Lagenaria gourds are grown for their utility and durability and are never considered pumpkins or squash. Therefore, “gourd” is the expansive family term, while “pumpkin” is a specific, culinary-defined group within the Cucurbita genus.