Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

Small shrub to around 6ft. Leaves and unripe fruit are hairy. The plant looks quite a bit like the naranjilla and it is likely possible to hybridize the two species. The cocona can fruit from seed in just 6-9 months, fruits taking just 8 weeks to ripen under standard conditions. There are a number of different cocona strains, ranging in size and shape, from purple-red to yellow, and small to large. Flowers are self-fertile and the cocona is not picky as to soil type, as long as there is adequate drainage.

Hardiness

Not frost hardy.

Growing Environment

Grow in full sun and protect from frost.

Propagation

By seed and root cuttings.

Uses

Eaten fresh, used in desserts, beverages, and can be used much like the tomato. Certain varieties are highly prized for their juice. Recent studies may indicate the possibility of high-cholesterol fighting compounds contained within the cocona.

Native Range

Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river regions in South America. However, the plant is not found in the wild, only in cultivation. Fruits rarely reach beyond local markets in Central and South America.

Related Species

Solanaceae
	Acnistus arborescens Wild Tobacco		Brugmansia arborea Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia aurea Golden Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia candida White Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia sanguinea Red Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia suaveolens Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia versicolor Orange Angel's Trumpet		Capsicum caballeroi Capsicum caballeroi
	Capsicum exile Cobincho Pepper		Capsicum eximium Capsicum eximium
	Capsicum flexuosum Capsicum flexuosum		Capsicum galapagoense Galapagos Island Pepper
	Capsicum praetermissum Cumari		Capsicum rhomboideum Capsicum rhomboideum
	Cyphomandra abutiloides Dwarf Tamarillo		Cyphomandra betacea Tree Tomato
	Datura inoxia Thorn Apple		Datura metel Double Purple Datura
	Iochroma australe (Acnistus australis) Mini Angel's Trumpet		Iochroma cyaneum Violet Churcu
	Iochroma fuchsioides Red Iochroma		Iochroma grandiflora Giant Iochroma
	Jaltomata procumbens Jaltomato		Lycopersicon melanocarpa Lycopersicon melanocarpa
	Lycopersicon skorospelka Lycopersicon skorospelka		Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco
	Physalis alkekengi Chinese Lantern		Physalis angulata Mullaca
	Physalis costomatl Cotztomatl		Physalis ixocarpa Tomatillo
	Physalis minima Sunberry		Physalis peruviana Cape Gooseberry
	Physalis pruinosa Ground Cherry		Solanum aviculare Kangaroo Apple
	Solanum burbankii Wonderberry		Solanum caripense Tzimbalo
	Solanum chessmanii Galapagos Island Tomato		Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
	Solanum hispidum Giant Devil's Fig		Solanum lycocarpum Fruit for Wolves
	Solanum macrocarpon Gbogname		Solanum mammosum Nipple Fruit
	Solanum melanocerasum Garden Huckleberry		Solanum muricatum Pepino
	Solanum pseudolulo Pseudolulo		Solanum quitoense Naranjilla
	Solanum sessiliflorum Cocona		Solanum uporo Cannibal's Tomato
	Withania somnifera Ashwagandha