Species
Solanum muricatum
Etymology
Solanum: Derivation uncertain - possibly from the Latin word sol, meaning "sun," referring to its status as a plant of the sun. Another possibility is that the root was solare, meaning "to soothe," or solamen, meaning "a comfort," which would refer to the soothing effects of the plant upon ingestion.
muricatum: furnished with numerous short hard excrescences
Common Name(s)
pepino
Authority
Solanum muricatum W.T.Aiton
Family
Solanaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites
Flower Colours
Violet / Purple,White
Year Naturalised
1989
Origin
Tropical Andes; possibly arose in cultivation in Peru
This page last updated on 28 Feb 2010