Solanum quitoense

Classification

Within the genus Solanum, S. quitoense is a part of the subgenus Leptostemonum. Within this clade, S. quitoense belongs to the section Lasiocarpa. Other species within Lasiocarpa include S. candidum, S. hyporhodium, S. lasiocarpum, S. felinum, S. psudolulo, S. repandum and S. vestissimum.

Solanum quitoense resembles and can be confused with certain other species of Solanum (some closely related to S. quitoense and others less so), including S. hirtum, S. myiacanthum, S. pectinatum, S. sessiliflorum and S. verrogeneum. Furthermore, S. quitoense is somewhat variable in appearance, making identification challenging: at least three varietals (with spines, without spines, and a third variety known as baquicha, which features red-ripening fruits and smooth leaves) are known to occur. One characteristic that is unique to S. quitoense is the ring of green flesh within the ripe fruit. The only related fruit to have green flesh is a cultivated variant of S. lasiocarpum.

The new growth of Solanum quitoense is densely covered in protective trichomes, which vary in color from purple to white.

Image:solanum quitoense flower 5.jpg|Flower File:Naranjilla new leaf.jpg|New leaf Image:stalk 2.jpg|Bud Image:stalk 3.jpg|Bud and young leaf

Cultivation

The naranjilla is not well-suited to large-scale cultivation. Its fruit, like tomatoes, is easily damaged when ripe, so is usually harvested unripe. The fruits are found at markets, and locals commonly prepare beverages by adding sugar and water to the freshly squeezed fruits.

Pests and diseases

Solanum quitoense has limited potential in large-scale agriculture due to the plant's extreme vulnerability to pests and diseases when grown as a crop. One common type of infection is caused by the root-knot nematode.

Hybrids are a solution to the nematode pest problem. S. quitoense has been hybridized with other Solanum species, most commonly with S. sessiliflorum, a plant with similar phenotypic traits. The leaves, flowers and fruits of S. sessiliflorum are similar in form to S. quitoense, but the fruits of the former are larger and yellow; the resulting hybrids have fruits with yellowish fruit pulp.

Nutrition and use

Lulo fruit pulp is 87% water, 1% protein, 6% carbohydrates, has negligible fat, and contains minerals, vitamin C, and carotenoids. Its composition varies by growing conditions (region, genotype, cultivation).

Juice is the most common use of lulo fruit, which is also consumed fresh, in desserts, and in various native dishes.

References

References

1. [http://www.tropicos.org/name/29600308 Tropicos]
2. {{PLANTS
3. (1987). "Naranjilla, ''Solanum quitoense'' Lam.; In: Fruits of Warm Climates". NewCROP, Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Purdue University.
4. The specific name for this species of [[Solanum
5. {{aut
6. Óscar Acosta, Ana M. Pérez, Fabrice Vaillant (2009) [http://www.alanrevista.org/ediciones/2009-1/chemical_characterization_antioxidant_volatile_constituents_naranjilla_solanum_quitoense_costa_rica.asp Chemical characterization, antioxidant properties, and volatile constituents of naranjilla (''Solanum quitoense'' Lam.) cultivated in Costa Rica] {{webarchive. link. (2009-12-23 . ''Archivos Latinoamericana de Nutrición'' 59(1): 88-94)
7. (2023). "Nutritional and bioactive properties of ''Solanum quitoense'' Lam: native fruit from the South American Andes". Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences.