The pumpkin, a fruit from specific varieties of squash—such as Cucurbita pepo, C. moschata, and C. maxima—belongs to the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It is typically recognized by its hard orange rind marked with distinct grooves. Pumpkins are widely cultivated for food, decoration, and even as livestock feed.The term typically refers to round, orange-colored squash, though it lacks a strict scientific definition and can apply to a range of squashes with different appearances.