''Lagenaria'' is a genus of

gourd Gourds include the fruits of some flowering plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, particularly ''Cucurbita'' and '' Lagenaria''. The term refers to a number of species and subspecies, many with hard shells, and some without. One of the ear ...

-bearing

vine A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themsel ...

s in the squash

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

(

Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae, also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera, of which the most important to humans are: *''Cucurbita'' – squash, pumpkin, zucchini, some gourds *'' Lagen ...

). ''Lagenaria'' contains six species, all of which are indigenous to tropical Africa."Pollinators and biological diversity: the case of the bottle gourd (''Lagenaria siceraria'') in Kenya"
by Morimoto Y., Gikungu M., and Maundu P., year 2004
"Notes on ''Lagenaria'' and ''Cucurbita'' (''Cucurbitaceae'')"
, by Herwig Teppner, year 2004 on page 252. The best-known species, the

calabash Calabash (; ''Lagenaria siceraria''), also known as bottle gourd, white-flowered gourd, long melon, birdhouse gourd, New Guinea bean, Tasmania bean, and opo squash, is a vine grown for its fruit. It can be either harvested young to be consumed ...

or bottle gourd, ''L. siceraria'', has been domesticated by humans, and has spread beyond Africa. The other species are not cultivated. The gourds of the various species may be harvested young and used as a vegetable. More commonly, the gourds are harvested mature, then dried, and used in making utensils (including musical instruments and containers). Gourds of ''L. siceraria'' have been used to store water and other liquids since ancient times. The generic name ''lagenaria'' comes from classical Latin ''lagena'' meaning bottle or flask, plus Latin suffix -aria.''Lagenaria'' i
''The Names of Plants''
by David Gledhill, year 2008 (see also ''lagena'' i
Latin-English Dictionary
by William Whitaker).

Species

The genus comprises 6 species: *'' Lagenaria abyssinica'' *'' Lagenaria breviflora'' *'' Lagenaria guineensis'' *'' Lagenaria rufa'' *''

Lagenaria siceraria Calabash (; ''Lagenaria siceraria''), also known as bottle gourd, white-flowered gourd, long melon, birdhouse gourd, New Guinea bean, Tasmania bean, and opo squash, is a vine grown for its fruit. It can be either harvested young to be consumed ...

'' *'' Lagenaria sphaerica''

References

Cucurbitaceae genera Cucurbitoideae {{Cucurbitales-stub