Sechium mexicanum is described as a new species of
Sechium sect.
Frantzia. It differs from the remaining species of the section by several features of the inflorescences and staminate flowers, the
obovoid and completely unarmed fruits, and pollen grains with 9–10 narrow, poorly defined colpi. It is endemic to Mexico and
the first member of sect.
Frantzia to be recorded outside of Central America. It grows at 900–2300 m in mesophilous forests and in oak and pineoak forests in
the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, and Veracruz.
Key words Cucurbitaceae - Mexico -
Sechium
- Sicyeae - Sicyinae