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Solanum muricatum - Aiton.

Common Name Pepino
Family Solanaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves and sometimes also the unripe fruits.
Habitats Not known
Range S. America - Chile, Peru.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Solanum muricatum Pepino


http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Michael_w
Solanum muricatum Pepino
http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedista:Dezidor

 

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Summary

Pepino or pepino dulce (sweet cucumber) is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) grown for its sweet edible fruit similar to honeydew or rockmelon and with a juicy melon-like texture. With a sprawling habit, it is an excellent ground cover plant possible to grow on a fence or trellis.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Solanum muricatum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. guatamalense.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw. A juicy, sweet aromatic and very agreeable flavour[1, 46, 61], somewhat like a honeydew melon[183]. The skin of some varieties has a disagreeable flavour[196]. The fruit contains 35mg vitamin C per 100g, 7% carbohydrates and 92% water[196]. The fruit should be harvested just before it is fully ripe and will store for several weeks at room temperature[196]. The fruit is about 10cm long and 6cm wide[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Vitamin C

None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most well-drained soils in a sunny position[1, 196]. If the soil is too fertile fruit production will suffer due to excess vegetative growth[196]. Requires a pH above 6 in order to avoid disorders such as manganese toxicity or iron deficiency[196]. Frequently cultivated for its edible fruit in S. America, there are some named varieties[183, 196]. Yields of 40 - 60 tonnes per hectare have been achieved[196]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, being cut to the ground by fairly light frosts. Seedlings show no resistance to frost, established plants are cut back at -3°c[196]. In a warm position and given a good mulch however, the roots can survive the winter and regrow from the base in the spring. Cuttings are exceedingly easy and these can be overwintered in a greenhouse to provide fresh plants for the following year[K]. Plants do not appear to have a sensitivity to day-length[196]. Plants can set fruit parthenocarpically (without fertilization or seed being formed) but self-fertilization or insect fertilization greatly encourages fruiting[196]. High temperatures, particularly above 30°c, at flowering time can cause the flowers to abort[196].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Aiton.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Malcolm Revis   Fri Sep 1 2006

When is the fruit ready to be picked? About October? And are there any indications eg colour to show a fruit is ready to be picked?

Jay Mynott   Sun Apr 12 2009

I have just planted 3 pepino in my greenhouse. They are sturdy but only about 4 inches tall. My soil is on the acid side and keeping the plants well watered is not a problem. I am hoping to harvest fruits later on the year. Am I being too optomistic? What amount does one hope to harvest from one plant? Thanks for your help. In anticipation Jay

Louis   Tue Sep 8 2009

Can you please tell me if information is avalable about this fruit if it is alkaline or acidic to the body? I have many of these plants in the garden and eat them regularly. Thanks Louis

Raffi   Sun Oct 11 2009

Gardenology.org - Garden wiki & Plant encyclopedia Solanum muricatum article

Rose Barry   Sun Nov 22 2009

I bought a plant from LIDL with no label except 'Solarnum' on the pot. It is bushy and has produced 6 large plum sized fruit. They are pale, creamy with purple stripes from base to stem. I picked them and put them on my kitchen windowsill hoping for some sun to ripen them. This was about a month ago, but in frustration I cut one open and scooped out the flesh. I didn't die! It was delicious, a subtle sweet flavour and most enjoyable. Not sure if the plant will survive the winter as it is still outside in a pot,in the Hertfordshire,UK. cool rainy weather. Here's hoping. Rose B

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