Chieh-gua is a special vegetable in China, which is similar to wax gourd in vine and appearance, but smaller in size. They are different plant varieties. The leaves of zucchini and wax gourd are different. Cucurbita pepo leaves alternate, with 5-7 palmlike cracks on the leaves, about 18-20cm long and dark green in color, while wax gourd leaves are nearly round with dark green surface and dense bristles on them.

Zucchini and wax gourd are essential vegetables for summer heat. They are not only delicious, but also very affordable. Therefore, in summer, the sales of zucchini and wax gourd are very high. However, many people mix zucchini and wax gourd because they look alike.

Are wax gourd and zucchini the same species?

Chieh-gua is a special vegetable in China, which is similar to wax gourd in vine and appearance, but smaller in size. They are different plant varieties.

Brief introduction of zucchini and wax gourd

Cucurbita pepo, also known as Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita melo, originated in southern China and belongs to climbing herbs. Its meat is smooth and light, and its taste is excellent.

Brief introduction of wax gourd

Wax gourd, also known as white melon and white melon skin, belongs to creeping or trellis herbs and belongs to Cucurbitaceae and Wax gourd. After the fruit is ripe, there is a layer of white powder on the surface, so it is also called white melon.

The difference between zucchini and wax gourd

1, leaf difference

The leaves of zucchini and wax gourd are different. Cucurbita pepo leaves alternate, palm-shaped with 5-7 slits, about 18-20cm long and dark green in color. The leaves of wax gourd are nearly round, the surface is dark green, and there are coarse hairs on it.

2. Fruit differences

The fruit of Chiqua is a short cylindrical fruit with yellow-green color and star-shaped green and white spots on the surface. The fruit of wax gourd is cylindrical, about 20-30 cm long, dark green, with hoarfrost and bristles on the surface.

3, the shape difference

Zucchini can be said to be a variety of wax gourd. Chih-qua has two shapes, one is short and the other is long. Chih-qua mainly grows in southern China. Although wax gourd also grows in the south, its shape is mainly long cylindrical, and some are spherical.

4. Peel color

The colors of zucchini skin are green, yellow-green and strong green. When the wax gourd is ripe, the skin is light green or dark green, and the surface also has fine fluff or white fine powder.

5, taste differences

Zucchini and wax gourd taste different, too. Zucchini will be much sweeter than wax gourd when it matures. Winter melon tastes softer than zucchini.