The Pumpkins of Marimurtra
This board is part of the The Nomad Blackboards project and accompanies the exhibition of 17 local pumpkin varieties with very different shapes, sizes and colors. Some are round, others elongated; colors range from bright orange to deep green, with surprising combinations in between. Each pumpkin has its story and singularity, and many come from Catalonia, helping us to preserve local biodiversity in a world that is increasingly globalized and dominated by monocultures.
Pumpkins are the fruit of plants from the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes around 900 species, mostly from warm climates, although some can withstand winters thanks to specific adaptations. Humans have been cultivating them for thousands of years, for their food and cultural uses, and they still remain part of our diet and daily life.
At the exhibition, we can see various species:
- Cucurbita maxima, known for its giant fruits.
- Cucurbita moschata, with sweet-flavored fruits.
- Lagenaria siceraria, with bottle-shaped fruits traditionally used as containers and musical instruments.
The natural process of hybridization
In the garden this year, some varieties have naturally hybridized, creating fruits with mixed characteristics that we cannot always identify. Pumpkins reproduce through their flowers, which are mainly pollinated by bees, bumblebees and other insects. When pollen from one flower reaches the flower of another variety, hybrid fruits can form with traits from both parent plants. Wind, insects and the closeness of different varieties have led to these natural hybridizations, making each fruit unique and unexpected, like a small mystery of nature.
This phenomenon of hybridization is not negative in itself, as it can give rise to new forms and possibilities. However, when the goal is to preserve specific local varieties, it must be monitored: if not well controlled, some characteristic traits may become diluted or eventually disappear.
Observe and discover
If you come close to our pumpkin exhibition, notice the differences in color, texture, and shape. Each fruit is the result of a fascinating process combining genetics, ecology, and interaction with pollinators. These natural hybridizations are not only a visual spectacle but also a living lesson on how nature creates diversity and new possibilities.
