Cucurbita maxima, commonly known as winter squash or giant pumpkin, is native to South America, with its origins traced to the Andean region. It is a species of squash widely cultivated for its edible fruit, which includes pumpkins, hubbard squash, and kabocha. The plant is a vigorous annual vine that produces large, lobed leaves, tendrils, and showy yellow-orange flowers that are typically monoecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant. This species has been cultivated for centuries both for food and as animal fodder. Its fruits are diverse in shape and size, ranging from small round squashes to massive pumpkins that can exceed several hundred pounds. In addition to being a staple in traditional cuisine, Cucurbita maxima is valued for its seeds, which are edible and rich in oil and protein. Select cultivars are grown in competitions for giant pumpkin exhibitions, with records of fruits weighing over 2000 pounds. The flowers are edible and used in soups and fritters in some regions. Photographed in Colombia.