Most summer squashes are varieties of Cucurbita pepo,[4] though some are C. moschata.

Most summer squash have a bushy growth habit, unlike the rambling vines of many winter squashes.

[5] Summer squashes include the C. pepo varieties: Other summer squashes include the C. moschata varieties: In the journals of Lewis and Clark, on October 12, 1804, Clark recorded that the Arikara tribe raised "great quantities of Corn Beens Simmins, &c."[7] Clark also used the spelling simlin in his journal entries.

Simlin, variously spelled simblin, symnel, cymling, cimnel (Thomas Jefferson's spelling) and simnel were words for summer squash, particularly Cucurbita pepo ssp.

pepo, common name pattypan squash.