SC - Pumpkins and such...

[LrdRas at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/20/00 2:39:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
jenne at mail.browser.net writes:

> Everyone points to these tiny unripe green gourds as the period pompions,
>  but I still wonder about Strabo's bushel-basket size pompions.
>  

I tend to agree with you. As I pointed out in an earlier post many of these 
gourds are still being grown. I see no basis to suppose a Far Eastern fruit 
as a probable candidate for pompions when we have many candidates to choose 
from closer to home. These are still available if you wish to grow them from 
seeds. 

I still think (but have nothing to back it with) that the word 'pompion' was 
not referring to the fruit but rather to the similarity in growth habits and 
culture as well as leaf shape. Although new world 'pumpkins do have yellow 
blossoms, every other aspect of the plant resembles gourds (pompions ) in 
every way. Even the white flowers have the same appearance as new world 
squashes except for color.

Why ii it assumed that the word 'pompion' was transferred to new world plants 
on the basis of fruit appearance? Is there any real evidence other than 
supposition that this was the case?

Thanks in advance.

Ras
The test of good manners is to be patient with bad ones.- Solomon Ibn Gabirol