Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests/Cucurbita

Cucurbita

 * This is the archived discussion of the TFAR nomination for the article below. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests). Please do not modify this page. 

The result was: scheduled for Today's featured article/October 31, 2015 by — Chris Woodrich (talk) 09:16, 12 October 2015 (UTC)



Cucurbita (Latin for gourd) is a genus of vines in the gourd family, native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. Five species are grown worldwide, variously known as squash, pumpkin, or gourd depending on species, variety, and local parlance. The fruits have played a role in human culture for at least 2,000 years. First cultivated in the Americas before being brought to Europe by returning explorers, the plants are now important sources of food and oil. Most Cucurbita species are herbaceous vines that grow several meters in length and have tendrils, but bush cultivars of C. pepo and C. maxima have also been developed. Many North and Central American species are visited by honey bees, as well as specialist bees that pollinate only a single species. Most of the domesticated species can be considered winter squash, since the full-grown fruits can be stored for months. Their extracts have many uses, including in cosmetics for dry and sensitive skin. The fruits are also good sources of vitamins and minerals in foods such as pumpkin pie, biscuits, bread, desserts, puddings, beverages, and soups.
 * Most recent similar article(s): Acacia pycnantha on 1 September if one takes "Botany" as the topic; Cabbage (26 Feb 2014) or arguably Rainbow trout (23 Jan 2015) if one takes "Food and drink" as the topic.
 * Main editors:, ,
 * Promoted: 28 Feb 2015
 * Reasons for nomination: Per discussion at Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests; of the two suggestions, I'd pick Halloween over Thanksgiving as the reference will be understood by many more of Wikipedia's readers. Placeholder image until a decision is reached over whether to run it and if so which image is appropriate. &#8209; iridescent 16:23, 16 September 2015 (UTC)


 * Support, including place-holder image. No strong opinion about the date. Sminthopsis84 (talk) 16:27, 16 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Support per the linked discussion, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:06, 16 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Support, suggest using File:Halloween pumpkin - Evan Swigart.jpg and Halloween. Chiswick Chap (talk) 17:46, 16 September 2015 (UTC)
 * This is still a biology/botany article. Halloween is not mentioned in the blurb here, so a carved pumpkin should not be used. The placeholder image looks very attractive, and the implicit connection to Halloween is already very easy to understand. — Chris Woodrich (talk) 00:35, 17 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Support, Either the proposed image or Chiswick's suggestion is ok with me, lean to the proposed one. Preferences for dates as mentioned in the linked TFAR talk page discussion, Halloween being fine. We can always put the image in the article if need be.  HalfGig   talk  16:06, 17 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Support for Halloween. Note that DYK is also commemorating Halloween (see WT:DYK) so it's a good fit for the day. Prioryman (talk) 21:25, 29 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Support for Halloween. Perhaps try to find some Transylvanian hooks for DYK too. —  Cliftonian   (talk)  14:25, 7 October 2015 (UTC)