gourd plant A gourd is a plant of the family *Cucurbitaceae*. Gourd is occasionally used to describe crops like cucumbers, squash, luffas, and melons. The term gourd, however, can more specifically refer to the plants of the two *Cucurbitaceae* genera *Lagenaria* and *Cucurbita*, or also to their hollow, dried-out shell.[A gourd is a plant of the family Cucurbitaceae. Gourd is occasionally used to describe crops like cucumbers, squash, luffas, and melons.[1] The term gourd, however, can more specifically refer to the plants of the two Cucurbitaceae genera Lagenaria and Cucurbita[citation needed], or also to their hollow, dried-out shell.[] cucurbitaceae squash, gourd or pumpkin plant requires discussion