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April 10, 2007 : Solanum quitoense
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Keywords: Solanaceae | Solanum quitoense Lam. | in or around Bogotá, Colombia
Andreas of Bogotá, Colombia, aka Quimbaya@Flickr, is the photographer of today's images (original 1 | original 2 | BPotD Flickr Group Pool). Thank you once again, Andreas!
Andreas shares his observations along with his photographs: “Very aromatic fruit; the pulp is used to prepare a delicious juice. In Colombia it is known as ‘lulo’, in Ecuador as ‘naranjilla’.”.
Learning or knowing that the species is named after Quito, Ecuador (the second-highest capital city in the world) gives you an idea of its native distribution range: higher elevations in subtropical South America and Central America.
Julia Morton's Fruits of Warm Climates provides a detailed account of the horticulture and botany of Solanum quitoense, including accounts of a few (sadly) abandoned attempts to expand the commercial production of this fruit.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at April 10, 2007 6:23 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Lee at April 10, 2007 8:33 AM
Does this only grow at higher altitudes, like the Snowberry Symphoricus Albus, ( I think).
OA
Posted by: Old Ari at April 10, 2007 1:27 PM
Absolutely stunning photos and an excellent illustration of the fruit's structure.
Posted by: Eric in SF at April 10, 2007 1:29 PM
Ari, one reference I found mentioned ~1000m to ~2300m. The unrelated Symphoricarpos albus is broadly distributed and occurs from near sea-level to the subalpine, in my experience.
Posted by: Daniel Mosquin 
at April 10, 2007 2:06 PM
Ari, here in Colombia the best quality fruit is from above 1500 m and I believe the same holds true for Ecuador. It's a real pity this is not more widely known, as it is an incredibly refreshing and delicious fruit. I especially love 'lulada' as prepared in Cali, Colombia. You just squeeze the pulp from 7-8 lulos into aprox. 1 liter of fresh water, add ice cubes and sugar, and mix with a hand mixer. Serve with a shot of Vodka!
Posted by: Quimbaya at April 10, 2007 4:19 PM
I live near Salt Lake City, Utah, USA in a zone five dry climate with alkaly soil. Do you think that this would survive here? How can I get one? Does it need a polinator?
Posted by: milo at April 10, 2007 9:04 PM
Milo,
A Google search for "Solanum quitoense seeds" turns up a number of seed sellers, including the some ebay auctions that appear to have the correct species for sale.
I expect you could grow this as a houseplant, but I doubt that it would survive the winter in Utah. I am not familiar with any tropical Solanum that will weather a hard frost.
Posted by: Cody at April 10, 2007 10:00 PM
Cody, I removed the direct link to the eBay auction - I'd prefer not to promote a specific sale (plus they expire).
Posted by: Daniel Mosquin at April 11, 2007 8:44 AM
When mixed with sugar, and used as a juice, this is the most delicious fruit I have ever tasted.
Posted by: M Letts at June 4, 2008 10:59 AM
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Servilletas,por favor!!