A COMMENTARY ON THE HAIR-LIKE APPENDAGES (INDUMENTUM) OF THE LEAVES IN AFRICAN PUMPKIN, CUCURBITA MAXIMA

Abstract

African forestry enterprises are plagued by many problems, one being the infestation of crops and vegetation by insects. One structural feature found in African pumpkin, the trichomes, have several advantages and disadvantages. However, this trait ensures that African pumpkin plantations thrive, creep and spread in breeding grounds across the world. This paper is a succinct commentary on the hair-like appendages of the leaves in African pumpkin. Although it is specifically written for this plant species (i.e. Cucurbita maxima), perhaps, the same deductions can be made for the leaves of other pumpkin varieties.