Biodiversity
An introduction to biodiversity.
A simple explanation of what biodiversity is, how we make sense of it and its importance to us. Plus an introduction to the biodiversity of potatoes and tomatoes.
Solanum chilense
Copyright free.
Species: Solanum chilense
Quick description
A beautiful wild species of tomato found in a variety of arid conditions in western South America.
Appearance
Fruit are small (around 1.5cms across) and round with sparse hairs on the surface. When ripe the fruit is a greenish white with purple stripes. The plant itself grows to around 1m tall and 1m across though it tends to be less erect and more spread out in rocky areas. Leaves and stem are covered with a dense ‘hair’. The leaves are grayish green on the upper surface and paler beneath, they have rounded serrations at their edge.
Taste / cooking
Unknown
Specific nutritional benefits
Unknown
Habitat / growing
Grows on the western slopes of the Andes from southern Peru to northern Chile. Found in hyper-arid rocky plains and coastal deserts at a variety of altitudes from sea level to 3000 m.
Stress tolerance
Drought tolerance
Disease/pest resistance
Unknown
