Pepino Lloron (Solanum caripense) – true species (not Tzimbalo) – 15 seeds

Pepino Lloron (Solanum caripense) – true species (not Tzimbalo)

This is (sub-)tropical (it is said to survive short periods of light frost to -2,5ºC = 27,5ºF), scrambling perennial, with half-woody stems, little 3-5-leaflet-compound leaves and small aromatic fruits. It grows in wild state in South America (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela) and Central America (Costa Rica) at mountain elevations (800-3,800m = 2700-12700ft). The fruits (a little oblong, pale green, dark green striped) are edible and are eagerly eaten by local people. They are said to be sweetish and aromatic (but the fruits which I harvested in my zone 6b were rather not very delicious) but small, not larger than cherry, only to 3cm = 1,2inch long (in my experience even smaller 1-1,5cm = 0,4-0,6inch long). This species belongs to taxonomic series Caripensia (within sect. Basarthrum) and is said to be able to successful crossing (and giving fertile hybrids with intermediate features) with Common Pepino (Solanum muricatum). This plant is very similar to Pepino (the translation of Spanish name "Pepino Lloron" means "Weeping Pepino"). Fruits fall down when ripe. The plant can be successfully grown as home/balcony plant in cold climates, and can easily survive a winter on sunny window’s sill, or can be grown as annual (fruits in first year from seeds). Seeds should be sown surface in warm, moist condition. They do not need any pre-treatment to germinating. This is not the same species as so called “Tzimbalo” (described as Solanum caripense too) – this is misidentification – “Tzimbalo” it is truly an other species – Solanum canense (not S. caripense). Package 15 fresh seeds.