Tamarillo
Solanum betaceum Cav.
Solanum betaceum, commonly known as tamarillo, is a species in the Solanaceae family. It is native to South America and has been introduced to various regions globally, including New Zealand, Australia, and parts of Africa. The plant produces an edible, egg-shaped fruit and is cultivated in several countries. The species was first described by Cavanilles in 1799, with seeds reportedly provided by the French botanist Pierre André Pourret during his exile in Spain.
Description
Solanum betaceum is a shrub or small tree in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) known for its edible fruit. It is widely distributed across South America and has been introduced to regions such as Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia. The species was described in 1799 by Cavanilles, with the original material likely sourced from Pourret, a French botanist in exile. Typification efforts have clarified that the plant described by both Cavanilles and Ortega likely originated from the same source. The species is cultivated in botanical gardens and national parks, including the Jardín Botánico de Bogotá and the Garden Route National Park.
Other common names
TamarilloTree Tomatotree-tomato
Distribution
BR · ZA · Tona · ZW · SE · RW · IN · AO · MG · AU · Garden Route National Park · Golden Gate Highlands National Park · Galápagos Islands · Antioquia, Boyacá, Caldas, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Magdalena, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindío, Risaralda, Valle · Amazonia colombiana: sur del departamento del Vichada; el suroriente del Meta; todo el territorio de los departamentos de Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo y Vaupés; la Bota Caucana; y las vertientes amazónicas de Nariño (la parte alta de los · Global · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · Bogotá · the Democratic Republic of the Congo · HN · GT · Bogotá, D.C. · Angola · Argentina Northwest · Assam · Bolivia · Brazil North · Brazil Southeast · Brazil South · Brazil West-Central
Synonyms
Cyphomandra betaceaCyphomandra betacea var. betaceaCyphomandra crassifoliaCyphomandra crassifoliaCyphomandra proceraPionandra betaceaSolanum crassifoliumSolanum insigneSolanum obliquum
