Jaltomata procumbens
(Cav.) J.Gentry.
Solanaceae
Jaltomata edulis Schltdl.
Saracha allogona (Bernh. ex Schltdl.) Schltdl.
Saracha caracasana Bitter
Saracha chihuahuensis Bitter
Saracha diffusa Miers
Saracha edulis (Schltdl.) Thell.
Saracha jaltomata Schltdl.
Saracha laxa Miers
Saracha microsperma Bitter
Saracha miersii Dunal ex A.DC.
Saracha nitida Bitter
Saracha procumbens (Cav.) Ruiz & Pav.
Saracha sessilis Greene
Solanum allogonum Bernh. ex Schltdl.
Witheringia diffusa Miers
Witheringia procumbens (Cav.) Miers
Common Name: Jaltomate
Close-up of the flower
Photograph by: Uleli
Close-up of the flower
Photograph by: Uleli
Drawing of the leaves, fruit and flowers
Photograph by: Ruiz Lopez, H., Pavon, J., Flora Peruviana, et Chilensis, Plates 153-325, vol. 2: p. 43, t. 180, fig. b (1798-1802)
General Information
Jaltomate is an annual or short-lived perennial plant growing 30 - 120cm tall.
The edible fruit is much appreciated locally and is avidly gathered from the wild[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. The plant also produces edible leaves and root. The fruit is sold in local markets[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
Known Hazards
Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Botanical References
Range
Western S. America north through Central America to Mexico and southwest N. America.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual/Perennial |
| Height | 1.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Plants are probably not frost hardy, but can be grown in temperate areas as a summer annual, producing fruit in just a couple of months from seed[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
].
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
].
Edible Uses
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
Fruit - raw or cooked in jams etc[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. The sweet black fruits can also be dried for later use[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. They are eagerly sought by the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
The roots can be eaten raw or boiled[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. They are often cooked with radishes[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - usually germinates in 1 - 6 weeks[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
