Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is grown for its fruit, which is eaten at various stages of ripeness. Zucchini has a well-developed root system with a high capacity to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. The stem develops as an erect, vigorous bush with short branches, but there are varieties with long, creeping stalks. The leaves are large, with long petioles. Both stem and leaves are covered with rough bristles. The flowers are unisexual, large, yellow, with the female flowers having the ovary in the shape of the future fruit, and the male flowers clustered 2-3 per plant. The fruit is a cylindrical melon with large, oval, flattened seeds.