Solanum quitoense

Solanum quitoense
Whole and transversely-cut fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species:
S. quitoense
Binomial name
Solanum quitoense
Synonyms
  • Solanum angulatum Ruiz & Pav.
  • Solanum macrocarpon Molina (non L.: homonym)
  • Solanum macrocarpon Pav. ex Dunal in DC. (nomen nudum, homonym)
  • Solanum nollanum Britton
  • Solanum quitense Kunth
  • Solanum quitoense f. septentrionale (R.E.Schult. & Cuatrec.) D'Arcy
  • Solanum quitoense var. septentrionale R.E.Schult. & Cuatrec.

Solanum quitoense, known as naranjilla (Spanish pronunciation: [naɾaŋˈxiʝa], "little orange") in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama and as lulo ([ˈlulo], from Quechua) in Colombia, is a tropical perennial plant from northwestern South America. The specific name for this species of nightshade means "from Quito."

The lulo plant stands 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) high, and has large elongated heart- or oval-shaped leaves up to 60 cm (24 in) in length covered in short purple hairs. Naranjilla plants must be protected from strong winds and direct sunlight, growing best in partial shade.

The fruit has a citrus flavor, sometimes described as a combination of pineapple and lime. The juice of the naranjilla is green and is used as a juice or for a drink called lulada.