| Galapagos Island Tomato | |
| Lycoperiscon chessmanii |
A small wild tomato native to the Galapagos Islands. Fruits are small, somewhat like the currant tomato. They ripen to a yellow-orange color and are edible, with a good, typical acid tomato flavor. The plant is of particular interest for its resistance to a number of tomato pests and has been used to cross breed with regular tomatoes to confer desired traits.
Description: A bushy annual with a standard tomato growth habit. Plants may reach 3-5ft and are most similar to certain cherry tomato varieties in growth and fruit production. The Galapagos Island tomato is distinctive and ornamental in a tomato garden, having smaller, ruffled leaves and profuse flowers. Fruits ripen quickly, in 50-60 days and seem to enjoy hot weather to set.
Hardiness: Not frost hardy.
Growing Environment: Grow like any tomato. Water regularly. Grow in full sun. In our experience plants only set fruit when weather is warm, unlike a number of standard tomato varieties.
Propagation: By seeds. Seeds generally germinate readily, but need several weeks germination time, especially if pulp capsule remains around seed. Germinate in 75-85F, moist soil. This species seems to be slower to germinate than standard tomatoes.
Uses: The fruits are edible and have a nice flavor. They are said to be popular with Galapagos Tortoises in their native range. The plants are of interest to tomato breeders as they are used to confer a number of desirable traits into standard tomato species.
Native Range: Native to the Galapagos Islands.