Bitter melon/balsam apple/balsam pear is also referred to as a gourd ... DNA studies indicate it's possible that bottle gourd traced back to Asia are among the first domesticated plant species in Asia ...

The variety Birdhouse/Bottle is used to make birdhouses ... Common shapes are round, pear, apple, penguin and swan. Gourds are easy to grow just like pumpkins! Last year, I threw my spent gourds ...