Cocona
Solanum pectinatum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A small thorny shrub. It grows 70 cm high. The spines are 4-5 mm long. The leaves are 11-25 cm long by 8-13 cm wide. The main vein is easy to see and there are spines on the leaves at the end. The leaf stalk is 5-9 cm long. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The fruit are round. The fruit are 3-4 cm across. They are juicy and aromatic. There are many seeds.

There are about 1400 Solanum species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It requires a frost free site. It needs light well-drained soil. In Bolivia it grows up to 300 m altitude. It grows in areas with a rainfall of 2000 mm per year. It does well in humid places. It needs fertile soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Bolivia, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, South America (country/location of origin), Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They can be eaten raw but are best cooked. The fuzz needs to be rubbed off and possibly peeled. The fruit can be used for drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Trees produce fruit after 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Daboka, Huevi de gato, Lulita, Meneira daboka, Naranjilla grande, Naranjuelo, Rande tton'tto, Toronja, Tumo, Ubasi

Synonyms

Solanum hirsutissimum Standl.;