| Solanum muricatum | ||||||||||||||
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 Pepino melon inside and out | ||||||||||||||
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| Solanum muricatum Ait. | ||||||||||||||
Solanum muricatum, is a species of evergreen shrub native to South America and grown for its sweet edible fruit, the pepino, pepino melon, or melon pear. It is also called, the tree melon, not to be confused with the same name for a papaya. The fruit resembles the melon (Cucumis melo) in color and flavor, but the plants are not related.
The fruit is found in farmers markets in Peru and Chile, but less often overseas because is quite sensitive to handling and does not travel well. Attempts to breed this crop and export the fruit have been made in New Zealand and Chile.
Botanical synonyms include Solanum guatamalense Hort.
Cultivation
The plant is normally propagated by cuttings, since the seeds germinate poorly and sometimes are completely absent. The stems have pre-formed roots and can form a whole plant in just 2-3 weeks, even when placed in water.
The species is technically a perennial plant, but its sensitivity to chilling, pests, and diseases force the growers to replant the crop every year. It is grown in coastal areas and other locations with mild winters (normally frost-free zones). The crop also adapts well to greenhouse cultivation, training the plants up to 2 m tall, and obtaining yields that are 2-3 times larger than those obtained outdoors.
Cultivars
- Colossal - Very large fruit, mostly cream-colored with light markings of purple. Very juicy, very sweet, no soapiness, good melon-like flavor (especially when ripened on the vine). Self-fertile, but yields larger fruit with cross-pollination.
- Ecuadorian Gold - A market cultivar in South America that produces good crops of pear-like fruits over a long growing season. The fruit has an attractive color, is well-marked and holds well on the plant. Self-fertile, but should be thinned for better fruit size.
- El Camino - Released in New Zealand in 1982 from material collected in Chile. Medium to large, egg-shaped fruit with regular purple stripes. Sometimes produces off-flavored fruits identifiable by their brownish-green color. One of two leading commercial cultivars in New Zealand.
- Miski Prolific - Originated in San Jose, Calif. by Nancy Garrison, as a seedling of the New Zealand cultivar Miski. Fruit creamy white with a faint salmon glow, lightly striped with purple. Flesh deep salmon. Flavor rich, sweet and aromatic, with no soapiness. Seeds few or none. Matures early. Strong growing plant, bears well without pollination.
- New Yorker - Introduced into California by Vincent Rizzo of New York state from material obtained in Chile. Medium to large, oval fruit, apex pointed. Skin smooth golden yellow when mature, prominently striped with deep purple. Flesh firm, juicy, yellow-orange. Flavor sweet, virtually free of soapiness. Seeds few. Keeps for several weeks. Upright growth habit. Sets fruit well without cross pollination.
- Rio Bamba - Originated in Vista, Calif by Patrick J. Worley. Named after the city in Ecuador where the original plant was collected. Medium-sized fruit, strongly striped with purple. Flavor excellent. Vining growth habit, making an excellent climber or a hanging basket plant. Dark-green leaves with reddish-purple veins, purple stems. Flowers darker than normal, making an excellent display.
- Temptation - Introduced by the Nurserymen's Association of Western Australia. Large, high quality fruit.
- Toma - Introduced into New Zealand from Chile in 1979, released there in 1983. Medium-sized, oval fruit, 4 inches long, 3 inches in diameter, apex pointed, shoulder well rounded. Skin smooth, cream-colored when ripe, prominently striped with dark purple. Flesh firm, light cream in color, very juicy. Flavor sweet and refreshing, with ho hint of soapiness. Seeds usually present. Keeping quality excellent. An important export cultivar in Chile.
- Vista - Originated in Vista, Calif. by Patrick J. Worley. A cross of Rio Bamba and a seedling from South America. Medium-sized fruits have good flavor and aroma. Upright, fairly compact plant of great vigor, self-fertile and heavy yielding. Bright green, 3 inch long leaves.