Wild Tomato Solanum pennellii Type 1

Here is the LA1272 Wild Tomato Solanum pennellii Type 1, PI 365970. This tomato originates from Peru and was collected by Rick, Charles M. C.M. Rick Tomato Genetic Resources Center in 1971. Solanum pennellii grows wild and is a native species to Northern Peru mostly in Piura all the way to northern Chile mostly in and around Tarapacá in dry rocky places and sandy areas at sea level to 10,000 feet ASL. It is a very different species than others and it belongs to Monotypic Neolycopersicon group. it is also said to be a bit of tomato and a bit of potato! This perennial can get to about 3+ feet tall, with silver-green leaves and velvety stems which are very fragile and break even with the slightest touch. Fruits are about .5 to .6 inches in diameter and fall when fully ripe. It is considered a wild relative of the common tomato. The flowers and fruits appear consistently throughout the year, but there is a noticeable increase in flowering between September and October. This species is very difficult to start from seed as well as growing it and getting it to fruit. NOT a beginner level tomato, you need some experience growing wild tomatoes to master this one. Open pollinated indeterminate tomato irregular leaf 90 to more then 120 days and may need to winter over before it fruits.  It is not know if the fruits are edible or not so grow as an ornamental for now.

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