Definition

Noun: 1. A South American arborescent shrub (Solanum betaceum, formerly Cyphomandra betacea) bearing egg-shaped, reddish-brown edible fruit with a flavor somewhat resembling that of a tomato. 2. The edible fruit of this plant, also commonly known as tamarillo.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Plant):
  • The tree tomato is native to the Andes and is now cultivated in many subtropical regions.
  • We planted a tree tomato in the greenhouse to protect it from frost.
• Noun (Fruit):
  • The flesh of the tree tomato is tangy and can be eaten raw or cooked.
  • She made a delicious chutney using ripe tree tomatoes.

Advanced Usage

• Horticultural Context: The term is used to distinguish this subtropical, woody perennial from the herbaceous common tomato plant ().
  • Unlike an annual tomato vine, the tree tomato can grow into a small tree up to 5 meters tall.

Variants and Related Words

• Tamarillo: The more common commercial name for the fruit and, by extension, the plant.
  • In New Zealand, where it is widely grown, it is almost exclusively called a tamarillo.
• Solanum betaceum: The current botanical name for the species.
• Cyphomandra betacea: A former botanical name for the species, still used in some contexts.

Synonyms

• Tamarillo (primary synonym for the fruit).
• Dutch eggplant (a less common regional name, though misleading).
• Tomate de árbol (Spanish name, meaning "tree tomato").

Notes on Meaning

The term "tree tomato" is descriptive, highlighting the plant's growth habit (tree-like) and the visual and flavor similarity of its fruit to the common tomato. However, it is a distinct species. The fruit's skin is bitter and usually not eaten, while the inner pulp and seeds are edible.

Noun

1. South American arborescent shrub having pale pink blossoms followed by egg-shaped reddish-brown edible fruit somewhat resembling a tomato in flavor