Common Name
and Description

Sapindus detergens

Soapnut, Ritha - A fairly small, deciduous tropical tree bearing round, 1" fruits that contain a single seed--the soapnut. The soapnut is high in saponin and makes a great substitute for household soaps and detergents. A few of the nuts in your washing machine can wash a load of clothes! It is a graceful and ornamental tree and should be hardy to about freezing. Large seeds. #1525

Sapindus saponaria

Soapberry - Closely related to the Soapnut, the Soapberry has a similar shape and appearance. Fruits are slightly smaller than the Soapnut and the tree is hardier, able to withstand frosts and light freezes. The soapnut is high in saponin and makes a great substitute for household soaps and detergents. A few of the nuts in your washing machine can wash a load of clothes! #1561

Saurauia zahlbruckneri

Butterscotch Bush - Medium sized shrub native to South American cloud forests. Bears a 1" purple-green skinned fruit related to the kiwi, with a strongly sweet flavor. The huge leaves are hairy, and very ornamental, making the tree an attractive garden addition. This species is similar to S. madrensis in appearance. Hardy to the 20's, this plant does particularly well in cooler climates. #1514

Schinus latifolius

Molle - Lesser-known pepper tree native to Chile. Fruits are dark purple in color and form in large clusters. Leaves and fruits contain scented oils. Hardy to the low 20's (F). #775

Selinicereus megalanthus

Yellow Pitaya, Yellow Dragon Fruit - Tasty yellow skinned dragon fruit relative. Very popular in Asia. The plant is a vining cactus growing either out of the soil or as an epiphyte, with aerial roots. Plants are tolerant of short frosts and can be grown in subtropical climates. more info... #684

Sicana odorifera

Cassabanana - An herbaceous vine bearing a striking 12-24" long, bright red fruit with a delightful melon-like smell, and flavor. Vines are vigorous, often growing up to 50ft. The fruit is common in parts of South and Central America, and along with its edible fruit, is sometimes grown as an ornamental. Perennial, but can be grown in cold areas as an annual. #1505

Solanum integrifolium

Pumpkin Tree, Hmong Red Eggplant - Tomato/eggplant relative producing orange fruits that can grow to the size of lemons. Fruits have an eggplant-like flavor but are also very ornamental and used in florist arrangements as they look like mini-pumpkins. The plant looks and grows much like a regular eggplant. Annual, or perennial in warmer climates. #972

Solanum melanocerasum

Garden Huckleberry - Small, purple-black fruit similar to the huckleberry. The true garden huckleberry is larger (about 1.5-2x) than the wonderberry (a hybrid relative). This variety is sweeter than most and of much higher quality flavor than average garden huckleberries. Annual, easily grown in pots, growth requirements are similar to the tomato, but berries need much less time to ripen. #665 more info...

Solanum muricatum

Pepino - Large sized fruit, to 4-6", sometimes weighing a pound or two. Quick growing shrub. Fruit is quite good and tastes very similar to a cantaloupe. Hardy to 27F. Will fruit in 9-12 months from seed. Becoming very popular in New Zealand and Chile. #116 more info...

Solanum quitoense

Naranjilla - Orange, fuzzy skinned fruit about the size of a large cherry tomato. Has tasty acidic green pulp that can be eaten fresh but is also used in Central and South America to make a popular beverage. Subtropical shrub, to 6-10ft, with large, fuzzy and thorny leaves having prominent purple veins. Can fruit from seed in 9-12 months. Hardy to the 20's (F), easily container grown. #671 more info...

Solanum sessiliflorum

Cocona - Orange-red colored fruit from the Amazon, used fresh and for drinks. Hardiness unknown, though the plant is native to tropical mountainous regions so it may survive some frosts. Fruits are popular in its native region. Herbaceous shrub to 6ft, with similarities to the naranjilla. #672 more info...

Solanum uporo

Cannibal's Tomato - An infamous fruit from the South Seas, the Cannibal's Tomato was once called the perfect accompaniment for a cannibals favorite meal. Fruits are rounded, about the size of large cherry tomatoes and have the most similarity to eggplants. Short annual grows to 2-4ft. Very easy to grow and quite pretty when in bloom and in fruit. #1574

Solanum xanthocarpum

Kanta Kari - The flowers and fruits of the Kanta Kari plant are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. This interesting eggplant relative produces small, red-orange fruits up to an inch long. The fruits are also occasionally used in curries. Small perennial that is not hardy to frosts, but can be grown as an annual. #1513

Stevia rebaudiana

Stevia - This species is the main one grown and used for the newly popular Stevia sweeteners. Plants are compact and grow to about 1-2ft. Easily grown as an annual in colder climates. The leaves have a sweet flavor and when dried, can be used to sweeten foods. Hardy to 28F. #1504

Synsepalum dulcificum

Miracle Fruit - Small berry with tasteless flesh but an amazing side effect that will make sour things taste sweet. The effect lasts for an hour or two. After eating a single miracle fruit, you can eat a lemon raw without puckering! Small bush or tree, tropical, will survive slight frosts. Easily container grown. #136 more info...

Syzygium jambos

Rose Apple - Medium to large sized tree producing a yellow fruit up to 1-3" across, with crunchy, juicy flesh that tastes like roses smell. The rose apple is frost hardy and can stand temperature to 28-30F when mature. Flowers are very ornamental. #148 more info...

Terminalia catappa

Tropical Almond - Large tropical tree commonly growing near river banks or ocean shorefronts. The large seed/nut is edible and has an almond-like flavor. The tropical almond is commonly grown for its large canopy, and high salt tolerantce. It has a majestic appearance and is a sturdy tree, especially near water. #693 more info...

Withania somnifera

Ashwagandha, Indian Ginseng - Small bushy tomatillo relative well-known for its many medicinal qualities. Roots, leaves, and fruits are regularly used to treat stress, exhaustion, memory problems, and much more. Small bright red/orange fruits resemble small chinese lanterns. Simple to grow, needs little care, grow as an annual or perennial. #661 more info...

Yucca baccata

Banana Yucca - A desert yucca bearing a 4-6" long, yellow fruit resembling a banana. The fruits are sweet and were once considered a delicacy by many Native American tribes who used the food as a staple. The flowers, leaves, and seeds are also edible. This yucca grows to 3ft and is quite hardy, surviving temperatures to the teens. The large flowers spikes during spring are quite ornamental and the plant lends itself well to arid landscapes. #1533

Jujube - Native to China, but now grown throughout the subtropics and temperate world. Fruit can be eaten at different stages, with a taste reminiscent of a mild and sweet apple. Very hardy, to -25F. Small, deciduous tree. #118 more info...

Ziziphus mauritiana

Indian Jujube - Small or large tropical tree similar to the jujube but better suited for tropical climates. Fruits are very similar to the jujube in taste and appearance. Will stand only brief frosts, does well in warm, humid regions. #644 more info...

Christ's Thorn, Jujubier - A medium sized African tree that is highly versatile and prized in its native range. The fruits are edible and have a sweetish flavor similar to the common Jujube. The tree is also a source of honey and a flavoring for alcoholic drinks. Some believe the tree to be the source of Christ's Crown of Thorns, hence its common name. #1559

Ziziphus spinosa

Suan Zao Ren - A Zizyphus bearing olive-shaped fruits that bear a resemblance to the common jujube. Fruits have an acid-sweet flavor. The tree is best known for its use in Chinese medicine. The seeds have a number of purported medicinal benefits including use as a sedative, for calming and to treat high-altitude sickness. Shrubby tree, hardy to the 20's. #1522