Cyphomandra hartwegii
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cyphomandra genus in the family Solanaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Cyphomandra
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 2 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects, Self
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The unripe fruit is slightly toxic.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. Resembling a tomato in flavour and size, it is used as a tomato substitute in cooking[3].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Environment
- Range
- Western S. America.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates within 4 weeks at 15°c[K], within 2 weeks at 25°c[1]. 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. Cuttings of greenwood in a frame[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil[2]. Prefers a light fertile soil[2]. Dislikes drought[2]. Plants are very prone to wind damage[2]. Plants fruit best with cool temperatures in the growing season[2]. This species is probably not hardy in Britain, but like the related tree tomato it might be possible to grow it outdoors in the summer and bring it into a warmer place for the winter. Plants are probably insensitive to day-length[2]. Very fast growing, it starts to fruit within two years from seed and reaches peak production in 3 - 4 years[2]. Trees are, however, short-lived and start to degenerate after about 8 years[2]. This species could be a valuable source of gene material for qualities such as nematode resistance, root rot resistance, fragrance, flavour, colour and yield[2]. Plants have a shallow spreading root system and resent surface hoeing, they are best given a good mulch[2]. Plants usually ripe their fruit over a period of time, though pruning methods can be used to produce a peak time of fruiting[2]. The leaves have a pungent smell[2]. Plants are subject to attacks by red spider mites.
References
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Popenoe. H. et al Lost Crops of the Incas National Academy Press 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-309-04264-X
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5