A review of the Cucurbitaceae

1980/10/01 by C. JEFFREY, C. Jeffrey · 379 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Advances in Cucurbitaceae Research #Anthropology #Biology #Botany #Cucumis #Cucurbitaceae #Domestication #Ecology #Evolutionary biology #Plant Diversity and Evolution #Taxonomy (biology) #Tribe #Zoology

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1980.tb01676.x

published in Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 81(3), 233-247 (Oxford University Press)

openalex publication_date 1980/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

Progress in studies of Cucurbitaceae since 1964 is reviewed, particular attention being paid to the roles of seed-coat anatomy, palynology and phytochemistry in elucidating the taxonomy of the family; to the use of wild species and land-races as sources of horticulturally desirable traits for the improvement of crops; to the potentialities of wild species for domestication as new crops for tropical areas, and to the biology of reproduction, sex control and sex expression. The classification of the family is outlined, illustrated by discussion of the more important members of each tribe, and a revised classification of Cucumis is presented.

Cited by

• Phylogenetic relationships in the order Cucurbitales and a new classification of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)
• Phylogeny and Evolution of the Cucurbitaceae
• Phylogenetics of Cucumis (Cucurbitaceae): Cucumber (C. sativus) belongs in an Asian/Australian clade far from melon (C. melo)
• Genome-wide characterization of simple sequence repeats in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). [europepmc]
• Transcriptome sequencing for SNP discovery across Cucumis melo. [europepmc]
• Characterization of the small RNA component of leaves and fruits from four different cucurbit species. [europepmc]
• High presence/absence gene variability in defense-related gene clusters of Cucumis melo. [europepmc]
• Variability of candidate genes, genetic structure and association with sugar accumulation and climacteric behavior in a broad germplasm collection of melon (Cucumis melo L.). [europepmc]
• Genome-Wide Differentiation of Various Melon Horticultural Groups for Use in GWAS for Fruit Firmness and Construction of a High Resolution Genetic Map. [europepmc]
• Genome-Wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Discovery and the Construction of a High-Density Genetic Map for Melon ( Cucumis melo L.) Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing. [europepmc]
• Mapping quantitative trait loci for fruit traits and powdery mildew resistance in melon (Cucumis melo). [europepmc]
• Genome-Wide Linkage-Disequilibrium Mapping to the Candidate Gene Level in Melon (Cucumis melo). [europepmc]
• Draft of Zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo L.) Proteome: A Resource for Genetic and Genomic Studies. [europepmc]
• Bacterial Seed Endophytes of Domesticated Cucurbits Antagonize Fungal and Oomycete Pathogens Including Powdery Mildew. [europepmc]
• Mapping and QTL Analysis of Gynoecy and Earliness in Bitter Gourd ( Momordica charantia L.) Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) Technology. [europepmc]
• Complete chloroplast genomes of two Siraitia Merrill species: Comparative analysis, positive selection and novel molecular marker development. [europepmc]
• Exploring Heterosis in Melon ( Cucumis melo L.). [europepmc]
• Genome-Wide SNP Markers for Genotypic and Phenotypic Differentiation of Melon ( Cucumis melo L.) Varieties Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing. [europepmc]
• Genetic Mapping and Identification of the Candidate Genes for Mottled Rind in Cucumis melo L. [europepmc]
• Selected Species of the Cucurbitaceae Family Used in Mexico for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. [europepmc]
• Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of WRKY Transcription Factors in Siraitia siamensis . [europepmc]
• QTL Mapping and Genome-Wide Association Study Reveal Genetic Loci and Candidate Genes Related to Soluble Solids Content in Melon. [europepmc]
• Genetic characterization of melon accessions in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System and construction of a melon core collection. [europepmc]
• Molecular Marker-Assisted Mapping, Candidate Gene Identification, and Breeding in Melon ( Cucumis melo L.): A Review. [europepmc]
• Lipid-Related Domestication Accounts for the Extreme Cold Sensitivity of Semiwild and Tropic Xishuangbanna Cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L. var. xishuangbannanesis ). [europepmc]
• Predation Risk Effects of Lady Beetle Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) on the Melon Aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover. [europepmc]
• The complete chloroplast genome sequences of nine melon varieties ( Cucumis melo L.): lights into comparative analysis and phylogenetic relationships. [europepmc]
• Recent Advances in the Distribution, Chemical Composition, Health Benefits, and Application of the Fruit of Siraitia grosvenorii . [europepmc]

Related

• Phylogenetic relationships in the order Cucurbitales and a new classification of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)
• Distributions, conservation status, and abiotic stress tolerance potential of wild cucurbits (Cucurbita L.)
• Gourds afloat: a dated phylogeny reveals an Asian origin of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) and numerous oversea dispersal events
• Embryo rescue of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), muskmelon (C. melo) and some wild Cucumis species (C. anguria, C. zeyheri, and C. metuliferus)
• The worldwide holoparasitic Apodanthaceae confidently placed in the Cucurbitales by nuclear and mitochondrial gene trees