[Wellpotty1]

Ok here's a dim question for you, how can you tell the point at which a courgette changes to a marrow? is it size? Weight? time growing after flowering? colour change?

thanks

[DD.]

You generally go on size.

Embryo
Small courgette
Courgette
Large Courgette
Small Marrow
Marrow
Large Marrow

However, the judgement as to which class is comes into is down to yourself, no one else can define it for you!

[JayG]

A courgette left long enough will usually grow to a marrow size, and need the seeds removing before cooking, but might not have as good a flavour and skin texture as one from a plant specifically bred to produce marrows.

Apart from that the difference between a large courgette and a small marrow is probably more of a philosophical question than a botanical one! 

[DD.]

The fruit of the ones specifically designed to be marrows are better storers.

[gavinjconway]

To me it is simple ... A small marrow say of a "Marrow"  variety is called a small marrow and a large one is still called a marrow ... and a small courgette of a courgette variety is a courgette and a large courgette is a large courgette..

A marrow is a marrow and a courgette is always a courgette. They are different species within a species..    

[arugula]

A marrow is a marrow and a courgette is always a courgette.

That is what I understood too.

[mumofstig]

They are both cucurbita pepo

Marrows are long or rounded fruits of various colours. The immature fruits are eaten as courgettes or zucchini.

quote from Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

[arugula]

They are both cucurbita pepo

Marrows are long or rounded fruits of various colours. The immature fruits are eaten as courgettes or zucchini.

quote from Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

Then why can you buy courgette seeds and marrow seeds (from the same seed supplier)? Different sub-species as gavin's post intimated?

They are different species within a species

Or names awarded in ancient times when the Italians called them zucchini, the French called them courgettes and apparently the English called them marrow?

had to edit to correct my quote - sorry

[gavinjconway]

They are both cucurbita maxima

Marrows are long or rounded fruits of various colours. The immature fruits are eaten as courgettes or zucchini.

quote from Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

Then why can you buy courgette seeds and marrow seeds (from the same seed supplier)? Different sub-species as gavin's post intimated?

You can also buy lamb and beef and chicken from the same butchery... I dont see the point of the question..

[gavinjconway]

By saying they are a different species within a species might have been the wrong terminology... I mean they are similar but different... does that make sense.. from the same family but cousins...

[mumofstig]

the word for squash is Zucca in Italian so zucchini  is literally just a little squash  

[JayG]

If you Gurgle "courgette or marrow" you can read as many different versions of the two opposite opinions as you like  - I think the truth is that like many plant species we grow there are many different varieties on offer these days, and in the case of "Cucurbita pepo" some are better eaten small as courgettes and others make better marrows.

[fatcat1955]

The main difference as i see it is, my family love courgettes but hate marrow's.

[Madame Cholet]

The french call a marrow a courge and baby marrow a courgette. confused.com

[shokkyy]

And to continue along Mum's provocative line - there's just a hair's breadth of difference between my One Ball courgettes and my Uchiki Kuri squash. Honestly, you can hardly tell them apart until the UKs start turning a darker colour when they ripen (which One Balls never get a chance to do because I pick 'em).