Origin and characteristics of the tree tomato
The fruits of the tamarillo tree (Solanum betaceum) look very similar to tomatoes, which is why it is also called the tree tomato. In fact, the tree tomato, like tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). These two species are related, but the tree tomato is not one of the tomato plant species commonly grown in our gardens.
The tamarillo, known as tomate de arbol in Argentina, originally comes from the Andean highlands of South America. This means the plant is adapted to regions close to the equator where temperatures are relatively stable all year round. It is a shrubby, densely branching tree that forms an umbrella-like crown. In its natural habitat, the tree tomato can grow up to six metres tall. The tamarillo is not winter hardy, so in the UK it is usually cultivated in pots, where it reaches a height of about two to three metres. Apart from the fruits that give it its name, the tamarillo has another striking feature, in the form of its leaves. Its oval to heart-shaped leaves grow up to 25 centimetres long and give the tamarillo a decorative appearance even without fruit.
After two years, from June onwards, the tree tomato will begin to form its first flowers. These look quite similar to the flowers of other closely related nightshade plants, such as tomatoes or potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), and are usually pale pink in colour with a pleasantly sweet fragrance. Their egg-shaped fruits are green when growing and turn orange to dark red when ripe, depending on the variety.
