Solanum quitoense

Lam.

Naranjilla

Solanaceae Edible: Fruit, Vegetable Potential hazards — see below 2,894 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Solanum quitoense, known as naranjilla (Spanish pronunciation: [naɾaŋˈxiʝa], "little orange") in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama and as lulo ([ˈlulo], from Quechua) in Colombia, is a tropical perennial plant from northwestern South America. The specific name for this species of nightshade means "from Quito." The lulo plant stands 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) high, and has large elongated heart- or oval-shaped leaves up to 60 cm (24 in) in length covered in short purple hairs. Naranjilla plants must be protected from strong winds and direct sunlight, growing best in partial shade. The fruit has a citrus flavor, sometimes described as a combination of pineapple and lime. The juice of the naranjilla is green and is used as a juice or for a drink called lulada.

Description

A small shrub up to 2 m high. It is hairy or thorny. The leaves are large (60 cm) and angular and hairy on both surfaces. They have thorns along the veins. Young leaves are purple. The flowers are pale violet and 2-4 cm across. The fruit are produced in clusters on the trunk. The fruit is bright orange in colour and covered with short hairs which can be removed by rubbing. The fruit is about 6 cm across. The flesh is yellow-orange to green. It has numerous small edible seeds.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten raw or cooked and is used mainly in sauces and preserves. Its flavour is tart yet sweet and very refreshing, with very juicy pulp. The juice is rich in protein and minerals and is used in effervescent drinks. The hairs on the skin must be removed before eating. Fruits reach up to 5cm in diameter and are produced in clusters of 3–4.

Traditional Uses

Fruit is eaten fresh or used for jams and drinks. The juice is used to flavour ice creams and sherberts.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The fruits are covered in stinging hairs, though these are easily removed. Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant.(Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling )

Distribution

A tropical plant. It suits the highland areas in the tropics. The best altitude is probably 800 to 2000 m. In the Andes it grows between 1,500-2,800 m altitude. The temperatures are 14-22°C. It is frost sensitive. It likes humidity. It grows well with rainfall of 1,500 mm per year. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Amazon, Andes*, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia*, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hawaii, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Tasmania, USA, Venezuela, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from quite low elevations in the tropics up to an elevation of 2,500 metres or more. They do not do well in hot, lowland tropical areas. They appear to be tolerant of temperatures up to about 30°c, but are intolerant of frost. They prefer an annual precipitation of around 1,500mm fairly evenly spread through the year since dry periods can lead to a check in growth. Plants generally prefer a sunny position, but at lowland elevations they will often benefit from light shade. Can succeed in a range of soils so long as they are rich in organic matter. Prefers a light, fertile, well-drained soil. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7, tolerating 5.8 - 8. Grows best in a position sheltered from strong winds. Introduced into the Galapagos by settlers, it is considered to be invasive there. Seedling plants generally commence fruiting when about 10 - 13 months old. Annual yields of 1 - 2 tonnes of fruit per hectare are obtained. Plants can flower and fruit all year round. The flowers are hermaphrodite and plants are usually self-fertile. The plant is susceptible to attack by nematodes and other pests, limiting its cultivation. In recent years its has been hybridized with various species, especially with S. Sessiliflorum, with the result that most plants grown and served in Ecuador comes from this hybrid. The hybrid can be distinguished from the true lulo by the colour of its fruit pulp: pure Solanum quitoense has bright green fruit pulp, whereas the hybrids most often have yellowish or, at most, light greenish fruit pulp. Flowering Time: Mid Summer. Bloom Color: White/Near White. Spacing: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm).

Propagation

Sow seed in a seedbed or in containers and plant out when seedlings are 10–15cm tall.

Other Uses

An extract of the fruit is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a conditioner for both hair and skin. The fruit is also used as a hair shampoo. Suitable for growing in pots.

Production

Plants commence bearing fruit after 6-12 months. They bear fruit throughout the year.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Plants are not common in Papua New Guinea, but they are increasing in importance in the highlands.

Notes

There are about 1400 Solanum species.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	88.5	184	44	1	100	67	0.5	—

Synonyms

Solanum angulatum Ruiz & Pav. Solanum macrocarpon Molina Solanum macrocarpon Pav. ex Dunal Solanum nollanum Britton Solanum quitense Kunth Solanum quitoense var. septentrionale R.E.Schult. & Cuatrec. Solanum quitoense f. septentrionale (R.E.Schult. & Cuatrec.) D'Arcy

Also Known As

Cua-ton-to, Daboka, Dabuka, Golden fruit of the Andes, Huevo de perro, Kukuch, Lulo, Lulos, Morelle de quito, Naranjilo, Quito orange, Toronja, Uvilla

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