Solanum candidum facts for kids

Solanum candidum is a type of evergreen shrub that grows naturally in South America. It is sometimes grown for its fruit, which you can eat.

This plant is not usually grown by people, and it's quite rare to find it in gardens or farms. People call it fuzzyfruit nightshade, naranjilla silvestre (which means "wild naranjilla"), or chichilegua. Its fruit looks a bit like the fruit of a plant called cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum).

Solanum candidum can even mix its genes with close relatives. This means it can create new plants with traits from both parents. It can do this with cocona, naranjilla, and pseudolulo.

One special thing about Solanum candidum fruits is that they are very hairy. Unlike most of its relatives, the ripe fruits don't fall off easily. This makes them a bit tricky to pick and eat when they are ready. Even so, S. candidum is related to other nightshade plants that we eat. These include the tomato (S. lycopersicum), the naranjilla (S. quitoense), and the eggplant (S. melongena). Farmers are interested in S. candidum because it is quite strong. It can fight off bugs and plant sicknesses better than its relatives.

Scientifically, S. candidum is also very interesting. It seems to be the closest relative and possibly the ancestor of some Asian plants in the same group. One example is Solanum lasiocarpum, which grows in India. This plant is grown for its fruits, which are like naranjilla. Solanum lasiocarpum can also easily mix its genes with S. candidum.

Where Fuzzyfruit Nightshade Grows

Solanum candidum is thought to come from the cool Andean mountains. These mountains are found in countries like Colombia, Peru, and Chile. Just like the cocona and naranjilla, this plant can start making fruit quickly. It usually takes only one or two years after planting the seeds.

This plant lives for a few years, but not a very long time. To produce fruit, it needs a long growing season. This means it's harder to grow in places with colder weather. S. candidum grows best in warm, wet places. These are often called subtropical cloud forest climates. In these places, it never gets too cold (no frost) and rarely gets too hot.

What the Fruit Looks Like

The fruits of S. candidum are round berries. They stay covered in soft fur even when they are ripe. These berries grow to about 2 centimeters in size. When they are ready to eat, they turn yellow or red. The ripe fruits are not as juicy as the fruits of its more common relatives. However, people say the flavor is quite good.

How Fuzzyfruit Nightshade Handles Pests

Like most edible nightshade plants, S. candidum can attract small bugs. These include aphids, white flies, beetles, and spider mites. These pests can quickly harm or even destroy plants like naranjillas and coconas. But S. candidum is known to be a bit tougher. It has a slightly better ability to resist these common plant pests.