Solanum betaceum Cav.

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Solanum betaceum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Solanum betaceum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Solanum betaceum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Solanum betaceum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

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Synonyms: Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) Sendtn.
Common names: Tamarillo (English) Tree tomato (English)
Frequency: A local escape in the Eastern Highlands
Status: Introduced; native of South America
Description:
Soft-wooded small tree up to c. 3 m, cultivated in gardens for its edible fruit and occasionally escaping in the Eastern Highlands. Leaves large, ovate, up to 30 cm long, cordate at the base, Flowers in branched inflorescences, pale pinkish; corolla lobes long and narrow, with a waxy texture. Fruit pendent, ovoid, dark red, tomato-like.
Notes: Cultivated in gardens for its edible fruit and occasionally escaping in the E Highlands.

The fruit is used raw in salads, for jam and chutney or added to stews and curries.
Derivation of specific name: betaceum: of the beet, beet-like
Habitat:
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: South America
Zimbabwe distribution: E
Growth form(s): Tree, shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Sunday 1 June 2008
Literature:

Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 19. As Cyphomandra betacea

Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 273. As Cyphomandra betacea

Gonçalves, A.E. (2005). Solanaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(4) Pages 75 - 77. (Includes a picture).

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 79. As Cyphomandra betacea


Other sources of information about Solanum betaceum:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Solanum betaceum
Flora of Zambia: Solanum betaceum
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Solanum betaceum

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Solanum betaceum
African Plant Database: Solanum betaceum
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Solanum betaceum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Solanum betaceum
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Solanum betaceum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Solanum betaceum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Solanum betaceum
JSTOR Plant Science: Solanum betaceum
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Solanum betaceum
Plants of the World Online: Solanum betaceum
Tropicos: Solanum betaceum
Wikipedia: Solanum betaceum


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Solanum betaceum.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=150800, retrieved 19 March 2024

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