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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Solanum muricatum''
| image = Pepino 4.jpg
| image_caption = Pepino melon inside and out
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Solanum]]''
| species = '''''S. muricatum'''''
| binomial = ''Solanum muricatum''
| binomial_authority = [[Aiton|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 [[plant breeding|breed]] this crop and export the fruit have been made in [[New Zealand]] and [[Chile]].
[[Image:Handheld_pepino.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A ripe pepino, showing the characteristic purple striping]]
[[Botanical synonym]]s include ''Solanum guatamalense'' Hort.
==Cultivation==
The plant is normally propagated by [[Cutting (plant)|cuttings]], since the [[seeds]] [[germination|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.
== External links ==
* [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Solanum+muricatum Plants for a Future database]
[[Category:Solanum]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Solanum muricatum''
| image = Pepino 4.jpg
| image_caption = Pepino melon inside and out
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Solanum]]''
| species = '''''S. muricatum'''''
| binomial = ''Solanum muricatum''
| binomial_authority = [[Aiton|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 [[plant breeding|breed]] this crop and export the fruit have been made in [[New Zealand]] and [[Chile]].
[[Image:Handheld_pepino.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A ripe pepino, showing the characteristic purple striping]]
[[Botanical synonym]]s include ''Solanum guatamalense'' Hort.
==Cultivation==
The plant is normally propagated by [[Cutting (plant)|cuttings]], since the [[seeds]] [[germination|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.
== External links ==
* [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Solanum+muricatum Plants for a Future database]
[[Category:Solanum]]
[[Category:Fruit]]