A pumpkin is a cultivar of a squash plant, most commonly of Cucurbita pepo,

that is round with smooth, slightly ribbed skin, and most often deep yellow to
orange in coloration.[1] The thick shell contains the seeds and pulp. Some
exceptionally large cultivars of squash with similar appearance have also been
derived from Cucurbita maxima. Specific cultivars of winter squash derived
from other species, including C. argyrosperma and C. moschata, are also
sometimes called "pumpkin".[1]

Native to North America (northeastern Mexico and southern United

States),[1] pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants, having been
used as early as 7,500 to 5,000 BC.[1] Pumpkins are widely grown for
commercial use and are used both for food and recreation. Pumpkin pie, for
instance, is a traditional part of Thanksgiving meals in Canada and the United
States, and pumpkins are frequently carved as jack-o'-lanterns for decoration
around Halloween, although commercially canned pumpkin purée and
pumpkin pie fillings are usually made from different kinds of winter squash
than the ones used for jack-o'-lanterns.[1]