Peruvian pepino

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Peruvian pepino
• melon-pear

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum muricatum var. parvifolium
• Solanum muricatum var. praecedens
• Solanum muricatum var. protogenum
• Solanum muricatum var. teleutogenum
• Solanum pedunculatum
• Solanum variegatum
• Solanum wallisii
• Solanum muricatum var. popayanum
• Solanum longifolium
• Solanum guatemalense
• Solanum saccianum
• Solanum hebephorum
• Solanum muricatum var. dissectum
• Solanum melaniferum
• Solanum muricatum f. glaberrimum
• Solanum muricatum var. papillosistylum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Solanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the western regions of South America. Its primary geographical distribution spans across several specific countries in this part of the continent. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Colombia. The species is also documented to inhabit the territories of Ecuador. Finally, its natural range extends further south into Peru.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum muricatum is characterized by its presence in lowland habitats, where it occupies a specific altitudinal niche. The species exhibits a broad vertical distribution, with an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 2500 m AMSL to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL, resulting in a mean elevational range of 1400 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2500 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Solanum muricatum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte to maintain its structural presence, and it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains largely consistent throughout its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum muricatum is characterized by a woody growth form that presents as both a herb and a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species, growing independently without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a liana or vine, reaching a maximum plant height of 1 m and maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.75 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum muricatum is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic relationship with soil nutrients. The plant's leaves exhibit a consistent structural profile, with a maximum leaf length reaching up to 9 cm. In terms of transverse development, the leaf width remains remarkably uniform, maintaining a mean, minimum, and maximum measurement of 4 cm, which suggests a stabilized leaf morphology across its growing surface. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic biological mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil substrate.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf width mean:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum muricatum is driven by biotic processes, utilizing a biotic pollination syndrome primarily mediated by insects. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive cycle relies heavily on these insect vectors to ensure genetic exchange. The plant does not exhibit asexual reproduction, relying instead on sexual methods to produce its offspring. Once fertilized, the plant produces fruit with a mean length of 8.5 cm. These fruits are dispersed through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where seeds are distributed after being ingested by animals, facilitating the plant's spread within its environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Fruit length mean:

8.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum muricatum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Leaf

1. Journal of food and drug analysis

Chemicals

Solanum muricatum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Saponins, VITAMIN E.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of food and drug analysis

Saponins

1. Journal of food and drug analysis

VITAMIN E

1. Journal of food and drug analysis

Conditions

Solanum muricatum has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer.

Breast cancer

1. Anticancer research

Colon cancer

1. Anticancer research

Gastric cancer

1. Anticancer research

Liver cancer

1. Anticancer research

Lung cancer

1. Anticancer research

Ovarian cancer

1. Anticancer research

Prostate cancer

1. Anticancer research

Stomach cancer

1. Anticancer research

Preparations

Solanum muricatum has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leafy vegetables.

Leafy vegetables

1. Journal of food and drug analysis