Naranjilla, Quito Orange
Solanum quitoense

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

Solanum quitoense, Naranjilla, is a subtropical perennial plant with large heartshaped or oval-shaped leaves and growing usually up to 3 m in height. It is shortlived and can flower and fruit all year round. It is hairy or thorny. The bright orange fruits, produced in clusters on the trunk, are eaten raw or cooked, mainly used in sauces and preserves. The flowers are pale violet. Naranjilla has no known medicinal value. It is propagated by seed sowing, cuttings, or grafting.

Solanum quitoense is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant is not wind tolerant.

Height (m): 2.5

Where it is found

Montane forests.

Western S. America - Ecuador, Colombia, Peru.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes*, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia*, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hawaii, Mexico, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, Tasmania, USA, Venezuela.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw or cooked. It is used mainly in sauces and preserves. The tart yet sweet flavour is very refreshing. The pulp is very juicy. The juice, which is rich in protein and minerals, is used in effervescent drinks. The hairs on the skin of the fruit are removed before the fruit is eaten. The fruit is up to 5cm in diameter and is produced in clusters of 3 - 4 fruits.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating: 2

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

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.

Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.

How it is grown

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).

Propagating it: Seed - sow in a seedbed or in containers. Plant out when 10 - 15cm tall.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

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 )

Introduced into the Galapagos by settlers, it is considered to be invasive there.

Its other names

Local names

Naranjilla, Quito Orange, Golden Fruit of the Andes, Bed of Nails, Lulos, Toronja, Quito orange, Morelle de quito, Golden fruit of the Andes, Naranjilo, Lulo.

Synonyms

Solanum angulatum Ruiz & Pav. Solanum macrocarpon Molina Solanum nollanum Britton Solanum quitense K