Carnegiea gigantea, Giant Saguaro

Southwest Desert Flora

Home to the plants of the Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Mojave Deserts

Cirsium ochrocentrum, Yellowspine Thistle

Cucurbitaceae, Cucumber or Gourd Family

The Cucurbitaceae family is also known as the Cucumber or Gourd Family with species mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. They are characteristically vines and sensitive to frost. Some species are woody lianas, spiny or thorny trees or shrubs. Leaves are alternate, simple and usually palmately lobed or compound. Species typically sensitive to frost. Flowers, often yellow and white are dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants. Some are monecious with the male and female flowers are on the same plant. Fruits are often a modified berry called a pepo.

The most economical species in Squashes, Pumpkins, Zucchini, Watermelon, Cucumbers and various melons.

The Cucurbitaceae have 134 genera and 965 accepted species, more or less. There are about 34 genera, more or less, in Arizona.

References:
The Plant List. A working list of all known plant species.[accessed April 6, 2015]
http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Cucurbitaceae/
Wikipedia contributors, 'Cucurbitaceae', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 March 2015, 00:23 UTC,
[accessed 6 April 2015]
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service on-line database – ITIS search