TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA

Solanum betaceum, Cyphomandra crassicaulis, Cyphomandra betacea, Pionandra betacea, Solanum crassifolium, Tamarillo, Tree Tomato, Tomate Arbol

Solanum betaceum, Cyphomandra crassicaulis, Cyphomandra betacea, Pionandra betacea, Solanum crassifolium

Tamarillo, Tree Tomato, Tomate Arbol
Family: Solanaceae
Origin: Andes mountain of Peru
USDA Zone: 9-11?
USDA Plant Hardiness MapSmall tree 10-20 ftSemi-shadeKeep soil moistWhite, off-white flowersEdible plantIrritating plant

The Solanum betaceum, more commonly known as the Tamarillo, is a small tree of 10 to 20 feet that is native to the Andes mountain in Peru. This tree prefers semi-shade and requires the soil to remain moist. It produces white or off-white flowers that can be slightly irritating to the skin, though these give way to the edible fruits. A mature plant is cold hardy and can survive temperatures at least as low as the 30s Fahrenheit for a short time, and is suitable for USDA Grow Zones 9 to 11.

The ripe fruits of the Solanum betaceum can range from orange to red to purple, depending on the variety, and are similar in size and shape to a hen's egg. The flavor of the fruit can vary from tree to tree, but generally it is juicy and sub-acid, and often likened to the garden tomato. These fruits can be eaten raw or cooked, though they should have their seeds and skin removed before cooking. The unripe fruits are slightly toxic.

The Solanum betaceum tree can produce hundreds of fruits on one mature tree in the right conditions. These fruits are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and offer a range of benefits to those who eat them, including improved eye health and a boost in energy. Eating tamarillos on a regular basis can also help to reduce the risk of heart disease, can boost the immune system, and can help to promote healthy skin.

When growing Solanum betaceum in cold regions, the plant should be kept in a pot and brought indoors during the winter months. This will help to keep it safe from the harsh winter temperatures and will ensure that the tree can survive until the following growing season.


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Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/solanum_betaceum.htm

Cyphomandra betacea White Egg - seeds

Light-colored fruit, greenish, cream to off-white.
Tamarillo, or Tree Tomato is a small, attractive, half-woody, evergreen or partially deciduous, shrub or small tree. The fruits are juicy and sub-acid, they are eaten out of hand, added to salads, used in preserves, jams, jellies etc. The mature fruits resemble a hen's egg in size and shape and, in the West Indies, ripen from October to January. The seedlings grow rapidly and generally produce the second year. Will grow indoors with warmth and bright light.
Ordering seeds info

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