A colorful American decoration

Many kinds of gourds have origins across the world in places such as Africa, Asia and North America. Ornamental gourds are annual vining plants native to North America. They are primarily used for Autumn decorations around the home.

Ornamental gourds are tremendously varied in shape and color. They may be smooth or have bumps. Because they are closely related to summer squash and pumpkins, ornamentals growing in close proximately to them may compromise the integrity of and cause bitterness in the resulting fruits of the squash and pumpkins. Ornamental gourds may be picked after the vine dies and turns brown, often immediately after the first frost.

Regrettably, I posted the wrong definition of the two ducks in last week's feature. The ducks are probably a mix of the domesticated Pekin and Muscovy breeds.