Gourd Identification: Identifying Lagenaria Gourds

Gourd identification is important. But with so many varieties of gourds, it can get confusing when people are looking for a specific shape to create something, or to envision what someone is referring to when they are trying to describe a particular gourd. Obviously, like anything else in life, this need for description gave rise to the naming of gourds. While most lay terms for gourds are not written in stone, and many of the gourds have numerous names, we did create a gourd chart using some of the most common names as a way for people to identify the gourd they are looking for, or for ordering seeds, etc.

The first step in gourd identification is separating cucurbits from lagenaria's, this chart separates lagenaria's from cucurbits. Cucurbits are not included on this chart as cucurbits are not generally considered long lasting or hard shelled, where as the Lagenaria gourds are thick shelled and last a long time like wood does. The purpose here is identifying lagenaria gourds.

Most of the gourd names were created based on either their normal function or based on the shape inspiring a name for it. A few gourds are named after their place of origin or from some other aspect of the gourd.

Gourd identification based on function:
The short handle Dipper Gourd
The Long Handle Dipper Gourd
The Extra Long handle Dipper Gourd
Apache dipper, (combined usefulness and point of origin)
Penis Sheath
powder horn
canteen
Water Jug
African Wine kettle, (another combined name)
Bushel Basket
African Bushel Basket
Mexican Bottle

Gourd identification based on shape description:
Snake Gourd
Long Gourd
Hercules Club
Caveman Club
Gooseneck
Banana
Apple gourd
Mini Pear
warty
Canon Ball
Basket Ball