A gourd is a fruit from a flowering plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, which includes pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, and melons. Gourds are hard-shelled fruits that are often used for ornamental purposes, but they have also been used for musical instruments, utensils, and storage containers. Gourds come in many different species and subspecies, with many having a tough rind and a fleshy, many-seeded interior. Some common types of gourds include the bottle gourd, yellow-flowered gourd, loofah, wax gourd, snake gourd, and teasel gourd. Gourds require a long growing season to mature and are killed by frost. They are often harvested once their vines have become dry and shriveled up. Some edible gourds are referred to as squash, while most are only ornamental due to their hard shells, being inedible and not tasting very nice.