The vast majority of pumpkin species and varieties are rich in valuable vitamins and minerals. It was not for nothing that pumpkin was named medicinal plant of the year in 2005.
However, a few pumpkin varieties should be enjoyed with caution. We are talking about the ornamental gourds, which delight the eye of the beholder with their decorative to bizarre silhouette. However, they are not suitable for consumption because they contain poisonous cucurbitacin.
The focus here is on crown and claw gourds with the popular varieties 'Autumn Wings', 'Shenot Crowns' or 'Bicolor Spoon'. With other varieties, such as the well-known 'Bischofsmütze', the pulp can be eaten, while the skin is inedible.