Pepino (Solanum muricatum)

Family: Solanaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Pepino or pepino dulce (sweet cucumber) is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) grown for its sweet edible fruit similar to honeydew or rockmelon and with a juicy melon-like texture. With a sprawling habit, it is an excellent ground cover plant possible to grow on a fence or trellis.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet aromatic and very agreeable flavour, somewhat like a honeydew melon. — A juicy, sweet aromatic and very agreeable flavour, somewhat like a honeydew melon.; The skin of some varieties has a disagreeable flavour.; The fruit contains 35mg vitamin C per 100g, 7% carbohydrates and 92% water.; The fruit should be harvested just before it is fully ripe and will store for several weeks at room temperature.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known. (Zone 8)