Solanaceae, Tree Tomato
Tree Tomato
Cyphomandra Betacea (Cav.) Sendt (Solanaceae)
Description
Tree Tomato
A shrub with a spreading crown and short trunk that grows to 3 m tall
at high elevations in the tropics. The leaves measure 15 cm long by 12
cm wide and are cordate with a pointed tip. The pink flowers appear in
groups of 3-4, with a nice scent. The fruits are egg-shaped, smooth, about
5 cm long, pale green turning yellow to bright red on ripening. They can
be kept for several weeks.
Origin
The tree tomato is a food crop native to the highlands of South America,
but now cultivated in Sri Lanka, India and the East.
Uses
The fruits have a distinctive, unusual flavour, they can be eaten raw,
being succulent and slightly sour, cooked as a stew or made into jams
and chutneys - the latter is very popular in Australia and New Zealand.
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