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Plant Informational Database

Lycopersicon melanocarpa

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.

Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Lycopersicon melanocarpa. Please visit our seed store to view current selections. Seeds were last available in February 2016.

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.

Additional Pictures

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