Summer squash are
squashes that are harvested when immature, while the rind is still tender and edible. Nearly all summer squashes are varieties of
Cucurbita pepo, though not all
Cucurbita pepo are considered summer squashes. Most summer squash have a bushy growth habit, unlike the rambling vines of many
winter squashes. The name "summer squash" refers to the short storage life of these squashes, unlike that of winter squashes.