Ralph Thompson's Squash

C. annuum. Hot, squash type. Fruit mature from green to orange-ish-brown then dark red at maturity. Anthocyanin present in some immature fruit. Oblate shape; half pendant, half horizontal; smooth skin; sunken blossom end. Fruit are 1.5-2.3" long, 2.5-3.3" wide, 1.3-3.2 oz. Plants are 20-28" tall. Stems green with dark purple nodes; sparse pubescence on leaves, intermediate pubescence on stems. White flowers; exserted stigmas. Early maturity; high productivity; 50% of plants lodged when grown in 2014 at Heritage Farm. Good flavor; sweet; fruit wall slightly hot, placenta very hot. Donated to SSE in 2004 by Hugh and Barbara Havercamp. From Hugh's father-in-law, Ralph Mead Thompson of Woburn, MA. Reportedly grown since about 1711; from Italian immigrants who agreed to indenture themselves to pay for their passage to Boston. Used by donors for drying and relish. Previously distributed by SSE as 'Squash, Ralph Thompson's'. SSE Accession # 118276