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Solanum quitoense

Image of Solanum quitoense

James Burghardt

Family

Solanaceae

Botanical Name

Solanum quitoense

Plant Common Name

Lulo, Naranjilla

General Description

The frighteningly prickly yet architecturally appealing naranjilla has fuzzy green leaves and yellow stems lined with slender, purple-red, thorny protrusions. White flowers and fuzzy, round, edible orange fruits are obscured by the large, lobed leaves. It is a tender perennial that is endemic to the mountains of Peru, Ecuador and southern Central America. In the garden it can be grown as a decorative bedding annual for beds and containers.

Naranjilla has large, fuzzy green leaves with irregular jagged lobes. The lower leaf veins and stems are lined with large, purplish red spines that look menacing but are relatively soft to the touch. In warm months small, white, five-lobed flowers that look like potato blossoms appear at stem tips. Fuzzy, grape-sized, yellowish orange fruits with green flesh and lots of seeds follow. These can be crushed for their tangy, pulpy juice or made into preserves.

Grow naranjilla in full sun to partial (dappled) shade in any average garden soil that has good drainage. It is tolerant of summer heat and humidity and will likely produce fruits where growing seasons are long. This is an attractive and interesting foliage plant that adds tropical flare to containers and borders. Even though its spines are not dangerously sharp, it is best to place it away from pedestrian areas or where children play. Plants can reach substantial heights in frost-free zones.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 5

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 12

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    2'-6' / 0.6m - 1.8m

  • Width

    2'-6' / 0.6m - 1.8m

  • Native To

    Central America, South America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Yellow, Orange, Gold

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Red, Green, Purple, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Red, Green, Purple, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Green, Purple, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Red, Green, Purple, Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Bold

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Edible, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes