Is summer straightneck squash and yellow zucchini the same thing?

 


My neighbor says they are different but I really don't know.  Told him
I'd ask here in this group.

Thanks.......... Rich

 

 White_Noise_1@webtv.net (EVP MAN) wrote:


They belong to the same family,        genus,   and species
                        Cucurbitaceae, Cucurbita,   pepo

which include
'Jack O'Lantern' pumpkin
'Connecticut Field' pumpkin '
'Acorn' or 'Table Queen' squash
'Vegetable Spaghetti'
'Zucchini', 'Yellow Crookneck'
and Bush Scallop summer squash
Small, hard shell gourds
Edible gourd
Vegetable gourd

So yes, they are the same thing and will cross pollinate.
--
- Billy
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the
merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/7/2/maude
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/6/28/naomi_klein_the_real_crime_scene

 

Billy wrote:

There is no answer to this unless you define "same thing" when naming
cultivars.

You can quite rightly say in some sense the same species is the same thing
but this is not all that isn't the only point of view.  For example silver
beet (AKA swiss chard) and beetroot (sugar beet) are the same species, ie
Beta vulgaris.  One has large leaves and not much root and the other the
reverse, they look quite different to casual inspection and have different
names.  If SWMBO says to pick some chard and you come back with beetroot you
are not going to be called thoughful, perceptive and helpful.

Depending on the point of view Rich and his neighbour could both be right.

David

 



Don'cha just love relativity? ;O)

Besides, if everybody is right, then nobody is wrong.
--
- Billy
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the
merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/7/2/maude
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/6/28/naomi_klein_the_real_crime_scene

 

EVP MAN wrote:

Are you talking about for cooking purposes?

They are not exactly the same but similar.  Summer straightneck are a
bit sweeter, not as smooth skinned as golden zucchini, and have larger
seeds.  They are also more watery when cooked.

gloria p