| 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.