Ideas for community gardens < fast fruits

Pepino is a low-growing compact shrub producing juicy fruit. Fruit turns yellow when ripe.

PEPINO

Botanic name

• Solanum muricatum
• member of tomato family

Growth form

• shrub to one metre high and wide
• long, pointed (lanceolate) leaves

Edible part

• round or egg-shaped fruit to 10 centimeres in length with thin skin that turns yellow or creamy colour with purple streaking when ripe
• eaten raw

Growing + harvesting

• several varieties available
• grows as container plant
• fruits within a year in best conditions
• grows in large container
• moderate frost tolerance
• tolerates moderate shade - use as an understorey
• avoid hot, dry conditions
• propagation from cuttings
• insect pests - aphids, slugs, mites, white fly

Centre of diversity

• Peruvian highlands of South America

PAGE UPDATED... Wednesday, 16 January 2002