The Cucurbitaceae or cucurbit family (also commonly referred to as the cucumber, gourd, melon, or pumpkin family) is a medium-sized plant family, primarily found in the warmer regions of the world. It is a major family for economically important species, particularly those with edible fruits. Some of these represent some of the earliest cultivated plants in both the Old and New Worlds. Some have medicinal and other uses. The family is distinct morphologically and biochemically from other families and is therefore considered monophyletic. General opinion is that it is closest allied phylogenetically with the Begoniaceae in the order Violales. A number of genera are not clearly defined and are in need of modern monographic treatments.

Distribution: Pantropical and subtropical; a few representatives in temperate to cooler climates.

Major genera: Trichosanthes (100 species), Cayaponia (60 species), Momordica (47 species), Gurania (40 species), Sicyos (40 species), Cucumis (34 species).

Minor genera: 36 genera are monotypic.

Major domesticated species (food plants): Citrullus lanatus (watermelon), Cucumis sativus (cucumber), Cucumis melo (melon), Cucumis anguria (bur gherkin), Cucurbita (five species of squash & pumpkin), Momordica charantia (bitter melon), Sechium edule (chayote), Luffa (two species of loofah), Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd), Benincasa hispida (wax gourd), Trichosanthes (two species of snake gourd), Telfairia (two species of oyster nut), Sicana odorifera (casabanana), Coccinia grandis (ivy gourd), Praecitrullus fistulosus (tinda), Cyclanthera pedata (slipper gourd), and Cucumeropsis mannii (white-seeded melon).

Succulents: species of Coccinia, Corallocarpus, Cyclantheropsis, Gerrardanthus, Ibervillea, Kedrostis, Melothria, Momordica, Odosicyos, Seyrigia, Xerosicyos, and Zehneria. Many of these are endangered in the wild.

Other ornamentals: Cucurbita pepo (ornamental gourds), Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd), Cucumis dipsaceus (teasel gourd), Cucumis metuliferus (African horned cucumber), Echinocystis lobata (balsam-apple).

Medicinals: Bryonia (two species of bryony), Citrullus colocynthis (colocynth), Coccinia grandis (ivy gourd), Cucurbira foetidissima (buffalo gourd), Ecballium elaterium (squirting cucumber), Fevillea cordifolia (antidote vine), Gynostemma pentaphyllum (jiaogulan), Hemsleya amabilis (luo guo di), Momordica (a number of species including bitter melon), Sechium (two species including chayote), Sicana odorifera (casabanana), Siraitia grosvenorii (luo han guo), Trichosanthes kirilowii (Chinese snake gourd).

Other uses: Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd—used as containers, floats, and resonator for musical instruments), Luffa cylindrica (loofah—used as a sponge and filter), Sicana odorifera (casabanana—used as an air freshener), Siraitia grosvenorii (luo han guo—used as a sweetener).

Invasive weeds: Citrullus lanatus (citron melon), Coccinia grandis (ivy gourd), Cucumis melo (Dudaim melon), Cucurbita pepo (Texas gourd), Momordica charantia (bitter melon), Sicyos angulata (burr cucumber).