Warty pumpkins look like something out of a fairy tale, covered in bumps, knobs and crusty patches. They catch the eye on a porch, and they raise the same question every fall: what causes all those warts? The answer depends on the pumpkin. Here is a look at the best-known warty varieties, where the bumps come from, and how to use them.
Galeux d'Eysines, the peanut pumpkin
The most famous warty pumpkin is Galeux d'Eysines. Seed Savers Exchange describes it as a historic French variety from the Bordeaux region, noted in the Vilmorin seed catalog in 1883, and weighing 10 to 20 pounds. Fedco Seeds says Vilmorin listed it as Warted Sugar Marrow and describes salmon-peach skin covered with large warts. Penn State Extension notes the crusty bumps look like peanut shells, which is where the nickname peanut pumpkin comes from.
Other bumpy varieties
Penn State Extension lists several more. Marina di Chioggia has a flattened turban shape with bumpy ridges, and Musquee de Maroc has green and orange knobs. There are also modern hybrids bred for warts, such as the Super Freak series developed by Siegers Seed Company, which includes Knuckle Head, Goose Bumps, Grizzly Bear, Scarface and Baby Bumps.
What causes the warts
In these varieties, the warts are a trait that has been kept and bred on purpose. Penn State Extension explains that before pumpkins were bred to be smooth, even canvases for jack-o-lanterns, they had natural bumps and indentations, and that today's warty hybrids came from many rounds of selective cross-breeding. Salon reported that Siegers requires at least 10 generations of breeding before a pumpkin gets the Super Freak label.
You may also hear that the warts on Galeux d'Eysines come from sugar building up in the skin. Produce distributor FreshPoint says so, and horticulturist Jessica Walliser has described it that way in a radio interview quoted by Salon. Penn State's explanation does not mention sugar, and we did not find a university source confirming it, so treat the sugar idea as a popular explanation rather than settled science.
When bumps are not on purpose
A smooth pumpkin can also turn bumpy. Penn State lists several causes: mosaic viruses, usually spread by aphids; edema, when excess water in cool, wet weather makes cells swell and burst; bacterial scabs; and cucumber beetles feeding on young fruit, which leaves wounds that heal as bumps and scars. Penn State says virus bumps do not affect shelf life or whether the pumpkin can be eaten, but bacterial scabs can burst and let in other organisms that cause rot.
How long warty pumpkins last
Warts do not make a pumpkin tougher. Fedco calls Galeux d'Eysines "not a good keeper," though Seed Savers lists storage among its uses, so plan to enjoy it through the fall rather than counting on it into winter. Look over the bumps every week or so. Hard, dry warts are fine, but a bump that turns soft or wet is a sign that pumpkin should go. Our post on how long porch pumpkins last covers general timelines.
Ways to use them
On a porch, a warty pumpkin works best as the focal point. Set one up high on a step or bale and keep the pumpkins around it smooth so the texture stands out. In the kitchen, Penn State says Galeux d'Eysines is not stringy and is recommended for soups and stews, and Fedco describes tender, moist, sweet orange flesh that works in soups or baked. Penn State notes the Super Freak pumpkins are billed as fine for cooking, though their real draw is their looks. Only cook a pumpkin that has been kept whole, clean and unpainted. For more ideas, see our guide to pumpkin types explained.
Questions about your pumpkins?
If you have a pumpkin question we did not cover here, we would be glad to help. Call or text us at (513) 409-0005, or send a message through our contact page. We are a family-run business right here in the Springboro, Dayton and Cincinnati area, and we are always happy to talk pumpkins.