Some modern treatments, such as Jørgensen, P. M., M. Nee & S. G. Beck. (eds.) 2011. Catálogo de las plantas vasculares de Bolivia, have merged the genus Cyphomandra into Solanum. This treatment is gaining wider acceptance and so we have now (October 2014) transferred all Cyphomandra species to Solanun[].
This species is treated as Cyphomandra cajanumensis (or Solanum cajanumensis) in some modern works[].

Common Name: Casana

General Information

Solanum cajanumense is a fast-growing, but short-lived evergreen shrub or small tree growing from 1 - 5 metres tall[].
The plant is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit in warm temperate to tropical areas of the world.

Known Hazards

The unripe fruit is slightly toxic.
Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most species in this genus also contain toxic alkaloids. Whilst these alkaloids can make the plant useful in treaing a range of medical conditions, they can also cause problems such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness and respiratory depression[].
Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Peru, Ecuador, Colombia.

Habitat

Edges of rainforests; at elevations from 1,500 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of higher elevations in the moist tropics. Plants fruit best with cool temperatures in the growing season[]. Plants are damaged by temperatures of -1°c or lower
Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil[]. Prefers a light fertile soil[]. Dislikes drought[]. Plants are shallow-rooted and so are very prone to wind damage[].
A very fast growing plant, it starts to fruit within two years from seed and reaches peak production in 3 - 4 years[]. Trees are, however, short-lived and start to degenerate after about 8 years[].
Plants usually ripe their fruit over a period of time, though pruning methods can be used to produce a peak time of fruiting[].
Plants are probably insensitive to day-length[].
This species could be a valuable source of gene material for qualities such as nematode resistance, root rot resistance, fragrance, flavour, colour and yield[].
Plants have a shallow spreading root system and resent surface hoeing, they are best given a good mulch[].
The leaves have a pungent smell[].
Plants are subject to attacks by red spider mites.

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. The fruit is best eaten in a fresh ripe state[]. Golden yellow when fully ripe, the pulp is fragrant, sweet and juicy[, , ]. Some say that the flavour is like a blend of peach and tomato[, ], whilst others say it is like a passion fruit or a juicy Thompson seedless grape[]. The yellow, ellipsoidal fruits are 45 - 100mm long and 25 - 45mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates within 4 weeks at 15°c[], within 2 weeks at 25°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of greenwood in a frame[].