Male pumpkin flower

• 26 Mar, 2011
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The pumpkin, gemsquash and butternut plants all produced distinct male and female flowers (ie dioecious). There is no mistaking a female for at the base of the flower is a miniature form of what might result. This is very quaint for the butternut. All the male flowers had a single projection, while the female's has four curved voluptuous curled parts. My bees in the garden did much pollinating. However, as summer drew on it seems that a peculiar fly creature invaded the pumpkin flowers and probably laid eggs inside at the base, such that the fruit quickly rotted. Next year, I will endeavour to control them. However, the flowers are edible, and utube provided an illustration on how to cook them. The taste was quite original.