Tree Tomato
Tamarillo

Solanum betaceum

Solanum betaceum from near Kapengurai, Kenya, photo © by Michael Plagens

Observed in a farming area near Kapenguria, Rift Valley, Kenya, Africa. July 2015.

Solanum betaceum from near Kapengurai, Kenya, photo © by Michael Plagens leaf of Solanum bataceum, photo © Michael Plagens

From Wikipedia: The tamarillo is native to the Andes of Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. The plant is a fast-growing tree that grows up to 5 meters. Peak production is reached after 4 years, and the life expectancy is about 12 years. The tree usually forms a single upright trunk with lateral branches. The flowers and fruits hang from the lateral branches. The leaves are large, simple and perennial, and have a strong pungent smell. The flowers are pink-white, and form clusters of 10 to 50 flowers. They produce 1 to 6 fruits per cluster.

Solanaceae -- Nightshade Family

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Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens, Created on 1 June 2015