Common Name: Cocona

General Information

Solanum sessiliflorum is a small prickly perennial plant with a woody base from which annual to perennial stems growing about 1 - 2 metres tall are produced[]. The stems of cultivated forms are usually unarmed, though they sometimes bear prickles.
Like its highland relative the lulo (Solanum quitoense), the cocona is a regionally important domesticated fruit that may have great unrealized potential as a tropical fruit crop[]. It has long been cultivated in the Amazon area by the Indian population for its fruits, this use has gradually spread and the plant is now grown pantropically[, ].

Known Hazards

Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most species in this genus also contain toxic alkaloids. Whilst these alkaloids can make the plant useful in treaing a range of medical conditions, they can also cause problems such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness and respiratory depression[].
Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

Range

Northern and western S. America - Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, north through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Mostly found in open sun, apparently only in association with human activity, either intentionally cultivated or spontaneous in human disturbances and about habitations at elevations from sea level to 500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Semi-cultivated

Cultivation Details

A plant of hot, wet, tropical lowland areas[, ].
Plants are not fussy as to soil type, though they prefer a light soil[]. Requires a well-drained soil[]. Prefers partial shade when young[].
A fast-growing plant, producing its first fruit when 6 - 9 months old from seed[].
The plant is very variable and has at times been divided into a number of species. Present treatments view it as one variable species - the form that has been known as S. Alabile has very large, globose fruits up to 10cm in diameter, sweeter and less acidulous than other forms of S. Sessiliflorum[].
Var. Sessiliflorum, with large (4 - 9cm diameter) fruits and no prickles, has been domesticated from the wild form, var. Georgicum which has prickly stems and leaves and small (3 - 4 cm diam.) fruits[].
There are a number of named varieties[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. A fruity, tomato-like flavour[]. A pleasing, acidulous flavour that is reminiscent of citrus, it can be eaten directly or in salads; used for juice, and to prepare beverages; and is used as a flavouring in cooked dishes[, ]. Although it has an agreeable flavour, the fruit is not recommended for raw eating, but is more usually peeled and used whole for making jams, jellies, preserves, pies, sauces etc[]. The fruits are rich in niacin and thiamine[]. The ovoid fruit is 7 - 10cm in diameter[], and has an acid, cream-coloured flesh[].

The leaves are cooked and eaten in Brazil[].

Medicinal

The powdered seeds are used to relieve irritation of the mouth caused by chewing coca[].

The juice of the boiled fruit is taken to prevent vomiting, especially when it is produced by scorpion stings or spiders. It is also rubbed over any insect bites to relieve pain[].

The boiled plant is used to treat the necrotic tissue caused by the gray spider bite[].

Recent studies may indicate the possibility of high-cholesterol fighting compounds contained within the fruit[].

Other Uses

The fruit is used as a bath soap and also as a shampoo to clean and shine the hair[]

Propagation

Seed - sow in trays in a nursery. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on fast. Plant them out when 10cm or more tall.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood. Very easy, the cuttings root within a couple of weeks.
Root cuttings.

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