Plant: large mounding or trailing annual

Origin: first domesticated in Mexico

Zone: annual

Flowers: large golden flowers, female larger than male. If honeybees are not present, hand pollination may be required to set fruit, which is great in pasta dishes.

Foliage: large lobed leaves.

Culture: full sun in rich soil. Watch for squash bug and cucumber beetle. Commonly grown with corn and beans to form the Three Sisters.