| Lycopersicon melanocarpa |
A little known wild tomato bearing medium-sized 2-4oz fruits that ripen with a bright red-orange-yellow-green striped and speckled skin. Fruits have a classic tomato flavor.
Description: Bushy plant, medium to large sized as far as tomatoes are concerned, growing to 5-6ft. Fruits ripen in 70-75 days from blossom set and are probably the most beautiful of the wild Lycopersicon. Plants bear reasonably heavily, with fruits born in small clusters.
Hardiness: Grown as an annual. Not frost hardy.
Growing Environment: Grow just like any tomato. Water regularly. Grow in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Grow in full sun. Plants seem to set fruit best in warm weather and are shy bearers in cool weather.
Propagation: By seeds.
Uses: Grown for its fruit, which match up nicely with standard tomato varieties. The fruits are particularly visually pleasing. The plant is also grown as an ornamental and a curiosity. It may also have some genetic use for cross-breeding with common tomatoes.
Native Range: The Americas.
