Family Name: Cyphomandra betacea
Other Names: Tamarillo
The Tree Tomato is native to the Andes Mountains of Peru and Chile South America. It has become one of the most preferred fruit for saucers now cultivated in many parts of Kenya mainly for the export market. Although it looks much like medium sized tomato, the Tree Tomato is not a true tomato. Tasting somewhat like a tomato, it is usually eaten fresh, with sugar, or boiled to make a popular and refreshing drink.
The Tree Tomato is an erect, fast-growing, South American evergreen shrub with fleshy cordate, ornate leaves that are musky, odorous, evergreen, alternate, more or less heart- shaped at the base, ovate, pointed at the apex, 10-35cm long and 4-12cm broad, thin, softly hairy, with conspicuous coarse veins. The fragrant flowers are borne in small, loose clusters near the branch tips are 1.25-2cm wide, have 5 pale pink or lavender, pointed lobes, five prominent yellow stamens, and green-purple calyx. The long-stalked pendent fruit, borne singly, or in clusters of 3m to 12, is smooth, egg-shaped hut pointed at both ends arid capped with persistent conical calyx. In size it ranges from 5-10cm long and 4- 5cm long and 4-5cm in width. Skin colour may be low, or red and yellow, and may have faint dark, longitudinal stripes. Fresh colour varies accordingly from orange-red of orange to yellow or cream-yellow. While the skin is somewhat tough and unpleasant in flavor, the outer layer of flesh is slightly firm, succulent and bland, and pulp surrounding the seeds in two lengthwise compartments is soft, juicy, sub-acid to sweet; it I black in dark-purple and red fruits, yellow and orange fruits. The seeds are thin, nearly flat, circular, larger and harder than those of true tomato and distinctly bitter. The fruit has a slightly resinous aroma and the flavor suggests a mild or under ripe tomato with faintly resinous aftertaste. The plant is small, half-woody, attractive, fast growing, brittle tree; shallow rooted: reaching 10-18ft (3-5.5cm) in height; rarely as much as 25ft (7.5cm). It is shallow rooted. The fruit is many-seeded berry, egg shaped, two-celled like tomatoes and about 2-3 cm long.
MEDICINAL USES
As a natural remedy, the tree tomato is considered a fruit that relieves stress and helps to cure migraines and severe headaches. It is used to treat obesity – because it is low in calories – as well as high blood pressure. It also contains phosphorus, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, iron, beta-carotene (pro vitamin A), vitamin B 6, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E and carbohydrates. It is used for colds, sore throats, liver diseases and diabetes. It is said to improve the immune and circulatory systems.
VARIETIES
There are apparently no named cultivars, but there are local preferences according to fruit colour;
- Red Fruits- Have been dedicated to fresh fruit markets due to their appealing colour.
- Dark-Red Strain- Also called “Black”, obtained by selection as a variation from the yellow and purple types. This red variety is large and of higher quality.
- Yellow Fruits- These are considered best for preserving because of their superior flavour.
Suitable Areas to plant: Tree Tomatoes can be planted in many parts of the country including Migori, Kisii, Kakamega, Meru, Muranga, Embu, Nyeri and Kericho. Areas prone to flooding and strong winds are not particularly suitable.
Comments (16)
Hey am interested with this tree tomato kindly elaborate,am in eldoret and i can plant them if possible!
You can buy them in an agrostore near you. Tree Tomato seeds are readily available in agrovet shops across the country.
Great stuff. I must admit though local consumers have not really embraced this fruit. Profitable venture with a great potential.
I planted 500 tree tomatoes in October last year in Meru County.
I expected a good harvest but they are not doing well. The leaves are withering in some plants and the flowers are falling off. The fruits are small and some of them are falling off.
What should I spray? Do you have field workers/advisers to visit my farm?
Thank you.
Apply CAN. They are lacking essential nutrients
can tree tomato do well in Taita Taveta county areas
Your articles are awesone. I just can’t stop reading them. Very informative indeed. Please advise where your offices are. I would like to buy the farming guides which are not downlaodable from the website.
Am also planting watermelon, tree tomatoes and would like to get more technical advise.
I have also planted red bulb onion which am hoping to reap big and have story to share with those small scale discouraged farmers.
Thank you!
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am very much impressed with this link. My regret is that I am not residing in Kenya and apprehensive whether I stand to benefit from your programmes.
In any case I will enter my details for further information on your programmes.
Regards,
Ibrahim Mohamed Koroma.
hi, i would like to know more about this stuff. am so much interested in this business and i come from kericho/Bomet. kindly advise me
l really enjoyed your publication on tomato tree and am interested in planting it on my farm. I’m a Nigeria and i have farm in Oyo state. I will be grateful if you can contact me on my email to educate me on how to go about planting the tree and how to get the seed.
Thanks till i read from you. Have a wonderful day
Lekan
where can I get grafted tree tomato seeds im in Eldoret thnx
I hv indigenous tree …….muthakwa. ….now….we plant seed direct or prepare a seed bed….which techniques…or stem directly…
Am in need of grafted tree tomatoes
Quite an informative article.
How can i get the seeds/fruits to plant?
Thank you.Check out patamboga.co.ke
Am interested to grow this fruit please send me more information. Thank you.
Hallo am looking for tree tomatoes seeds how can you assist me to get them.
Thank you,Charles