quito-orange
ExplorePlants
quito-orange
Solanum quitoense
The quito-orange is a special fruit that grows on spiky plants. It has a bright orange color and a unique taste that is a little sweet and a little tangy. Kids love to explore its fun shape!
Habitat: Mountain regions
Appearance
The quito-orange is a striking plant with large, velvety green leaves often veined with deep purple. Its stems are thick and covered in purple fuzz, sometimes bearing small thorns. It produces small, white to pale purple star-shaped flowers that develop into round, fuzzy orange-yellow fruits.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSolanalesFamilySolanaceaeGenusSolanum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Did you know the fuzzy skin of a quito-orange fruit must be rubbed off before you can eat it?
In some places, people call this yummy fruit 'Naranjilla', which means 'little orange' in Spanish!
Its tangy, citrus-like flavor makes it a super popular ingredient for drinks in South America!
This plant is a relative of tomatoes and potatoes, even though its fruit looks so different!
Special abilities
Ability
Fuzzy Armor
Quito-orange has velvety fuzz on its leaves and stems that helps protect it from pests and excessive sunlight.
Ability
Tangy Shield
Its unripe fruit contains acidic compounds that deter animals from eating it before the seeds are ready.
Ability
Buzz Magnet
The quito-orange has special flowers that attract specific bees, which buzz-pollinate them for fruit production.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-300 cm
- Spread
- 100-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Year-round
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
bumblebee
Bombus atratus
Performs buzz pollination on flowers.
symbiotic with
humans
Homo sapiens
Cultivates for edible fruit.
eaten by
great fruit-eating bat
Artibeus lituratus
Eats fruit, dispersing seeds.
Traits
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Fruit Tree
A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Mountain
This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Also known as
Nanche
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always wash fruits before eating them to stay safe and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is quito-orange?
100-300 cm
How wide does quito-orange spread?
100-200 cm
How big are the flowers on quito-orange?
1-2 cm
When does quito-orange bloom?
Year-round
Is quito-orange edible?
Yes
Is quito-orange toxic?
Mild
What is quito-orange's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is quito-orange pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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